2022 Tillman Scholar

Daniel Walker

Air Force
Harvard Law School
Juris Doctor

“As an officer, I took an oath to support and defend the constitution. As a lawyer, I aim to defend marginalized people’s rights as defined by that document.”

Daniel Walker is a former F-22 Raptor Mission Commander and Fighter Fundamentals Instructor Pilot with over 1200 hours of combined training and combat flight time. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2010, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University.

Walker started his career as an admissions officer and recruiter for the Air Force Academy. There, he was responsible for the counsel, mentorship, and intake of diverse students applying to USAFA from the Western United States and the Pacific territories. Daniel served as a fighter pilot for the rest of his career, piloting the T-6, T-38, F-16, and F-22 from 2011-2021. During his tenure, he led various units including the Alaskan Northern Aerospace Defense Region’s F-22 Combat Alert Cell. He is also one of six winners of the 2020 United States Air Force Academy’s Young Alumni Excellence Award.

Walker is attending Harvard Law School as a Juris Doctor Candidate in the class of 2024. He entered law school to learn how to leverage capital and policy to directly support the advancement of historically disenfranchised communities. He aims to address economic deficiencies that stifle innovation, growth, and prosperity. While in school, he serves as a public defender with the Harvard Defenders, the External Vice President of the Black Law Students Association, a Harvard Center for Public Leadership Fellow, and as a Chayes International Public Service Fellow.