What was DeAnna Burt's final role in the U.S. Space Force?

She served as Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear from December 2022 until her retirement on October 1, 2025 -- a position she described as the 'chief operating officer' of the Space Force, with responsibility for operations, sustainment, cyber, and nuclear operations across the service.

Is DeAnna Burt the first woman to hold general-officer rank in the Space Force?

Yes. She became the first woman to hold general-officer rank in the U.S. Space Force upon her transfer from the Air Force on May 7, 2021, and was later designated the service's first female major general, the second female general officer overall after Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno.

When did DeAnna Burt retire from the military?

She retired on October 1, 2025, after 33 years of combined service in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

What is GMTI, and why was DeAnna Burt associated with it?

Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) is a joint Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency effort to track moving ground and maritime targets from orbit. As Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Burt was the Space Force's senior operational voice on the program.

33 Years of Service · U.S. Space Force

Leadership Proven at the Edge of a New Domain

DeAnna Burt is the strategic board member who finds where an organization’s capability is locked and builds the conditions for it to perform at its ceiling. A retired Lieutenant General and former Deputy Chief of Space Operations, she is the U.S. Space Force’s first female major general and the product of a career built on operational command and strategic clarity..

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Strategic Insight for Organizations Navigating New Frontiers

She is the person you call when the room has everything it needs to solve the problem and nobody has figured out how to unlock it yet — an operating partner who takes real accountability for the outcome, earned through three decades of high-stakes command experience, not a one-off coaching call.

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Embedded accountability for boards and leadership teams scaling operations, integrating new capability, or managing organizational change at speed.

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Panel discussions on building high-performing teams, leading through ambiguity, and standing up new missions inside legacy institutions.

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Informed perspective on space policy, national security, and the future of the U.S. Space Force for press and panels.

“Space is a warfighting domain. Guardians are operators and warfighters — first, and always.”
Lt. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt, USSF (Ret.)

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Available for board, operating-partner, and panel engagements on leadership, space policy, and national security.

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Title	Organization	Department	Dates	Description	Authority Links
Board Advisor	Albedo Space		2026-06 – Present	DeAnna Burt advises the Board of Directors for Albedo Space on space policy, strategy, and operations.	Albedo Space Google KGMID · Albedo Space Wikidata QID
Board Advisor	Mantis Space		2026-06 – Present	DeAnna Burt advises the Board of Directors for Mantis Space on space policy, strategy, and operation	Mantis Space Google KGMID
Board Member	PLEXSYS		2026-06 – Present	DeAnna Burt acts as the Audit Committee Chair and Member of the PLEXSYS Board of Directors	PLEXSYS Google KGMID
Board Member	Air & Space Forces Association		2026-06 – Present	DeAnna Burt is a Board Member for the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), a non-profit representing and advocating for Guardians and their families interests	Air & Space Forces Association Google KGMID
Ambassador	Cosmic Girls Foundation		2026-02 – Present	DeAnna Burt is an Ambassador to the non-profit Cosmic Girls Foundation advocating for women in STEM and space.
Board Advisor	Farlie Turner Gilbert & Co., LLC (FTG)		2026-01 – Present	DeAnna Burt is a board advisor to FTG, advising on space related companies for investment, fund-raising and divestment.
Board Advisor	Turion Space		2025-11 – Present	DeAnna Burt advises Turion's Board of Directors on space policy, strategy, and operations.
Advisor to the Board	Kragon Space Inc.		2025-10 – Present	Advises Kragon BoD on space policy, strategy, and operations.
Consultant	Kyl Institute for National Security		2025-10 – Present	DeAnna Burt brings her expertise in space policy, strategy, and operations to The Kyl Institute for National Security
Founder	Be the Patch Consulting LLC		2025 – Present	Leadership and operational advisory services drawn from her military experience.
Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear	United States Space Force	The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia	2022-12-01 – 2025-10-01	Directed sustainment, operational readiness, and integration of capabilities across operations, cyber, and nuclear domains; advised the Chief of Space Operations on strategic priorities for over 10,000 personnel. Succeeded B. Chance Saltzman. Succeeded by Douglas Schiess.
Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Space Operations	United States Space Force	The Pentagon	2022-08 – 2022-12	Executed key projects on behalf of the Vice Chief of Space Operations affecting policy, operations, and budgeting for the United States Space Force
Commander	United States Space Force	Combined Force Space Component Command, Vandenberg AFB/SFB, California	2020-11-16 – 2022-08-23	Concurrently served as Vice Commander, Space Operations Command; integrated space operations among U.S. forces and 14 partner nations. Succeeded John E. Shaw; succeeded by Douglas Schiess.
Director of Operations and Communications	United States Air Force	HQ Space Operations Command, Peterson AFB, Colorado	2018-07 – 2020-11	Worked directly for the 4-star Commander, Gen John Hyten at Air Force Space Command. Managed Congressional engagements, Commander's Speechwriter, and special event planning on behalf and in support of the Commander. Succeeded Joseph T. Guastella; succeeded by Douglas Schiess.
Vice Commander	United States Air Force	U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, Nevada	2017-07 – 2018-07	Succeeded Paul A. Welch; succeeded by David W. Snoddy.
Commander	United States Air Force	50th Space Wing, Schriever AFB, Colorado	2015-05 – 2017-07	Also served as commander of the Air Expeditionary Wing during Red Flag 16-3 at Nellis AFB. Succeeded William Liquori; succeeded by Jennifer L. Grant.
Director, Commander's Action Group	United States Air Force	Peterson AFB, Colorado	2014-08 – 2015-05
Commander	United States Air Force	460th Operations Group, Buckley AFB, Colorado	2012-06 – 2014-08	Managed space-based infrared systems and cyber operations. Succeeded B. Chance Saltzman; succeeded by Michael Jackson.
Chief, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Requirements Division	United States Air Force	Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colorado	2010-08 – 2011-08	Staff Director in the A5 of Air Force Space Command. Led service wide requirements and policy for the GPS constellation.
Commander	United States Air Force	2nd Space Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colorado	2008-08 – 2010-08	Oversaw satellite control operations. Succeeded Kurt W. Kuntzleman; succeeded by Jennifer L. Grant.
Chief Combat Plans Division	United States Air Force	Joint Space Operations Center, Vandenberg AFB, California	2006-06 – 2008-07	Member of the Joint Space Operations Center leadership team leading the planning and execution of all space assets in support of USSTRATCOM. Led the Combat Plans Division in drafting the Master Space Plan and Space Tasking Order.
Theater Missile Defense Operations Officer / Deputy Chief, Special Technical Operations Branch	United States Air Force	HQ U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany	2001-12 – 2004-07	Started as an action officer in the J36 working Shared Early Warning with Israel and NATO. Selected to be the Deputy STO Chief leading all Special Access Program planning and execution for the Combatant Command.
Assistant Training Flight Commander / Training Flight Commander	United States Air Force	USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada	1999-06 – 2001-12	Instructed following graduation from USAF Weapons School Space Division in June 1999.
Executive Officer	United States Air Force	Space Warfare Center, Schriever AFB, Colorado	1997-10 – 1999-01	Managed scheduling, taskers, staff coordination and travel for 1-star Space Warfare Center Commander.
Chief of Space Systems Tactical Warning Operations and Standardization/Training	United States Air Force	76th Space Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colorado	1995-12 – 1997-10	Missile Warning and Missile Defense expert on the Air Force Space Support Team supporting PACOM. Deployed to numerous exercises in multiple Combatant Commands to assist in setting up Missile Warning architectures.
Crew Commander / Deputy Flight Commander / Chief of Current Operations	United States Air Force	4th Space Warning Squadron, Holloman AFB, New Mexico	1993-01 – 1995-12	Managed tactical warning operations.
Undergraduate Space Training Student	United States Air Force	Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado	1992-10 – 1993-01	Completed Undergraduate Space Training.

Degree / Field	Institution	Dates	Honors	Description	Authority Links
Professional Military Education in National Security Strategy	National War College	2011-08 – 2012-06	Distinguished Graduate	Distinguished Graduate (2012).	National War College Google KGMID
Advanced Studies Certificate in Air and Space Power Strategy	School of Advanced Air and Space Studies	2005-07 – 2006-06
Professional Military Education in Air and Space Studies	Air Command and Staff College	2004-07 – 2005-06	Distinguished Graduate	Distinguished Graduate and Commandant's Leadership Award recipient (2005).
Professional Military Education in Space Warfare	USAF Weapons School (Space Division)	1999-01 – 1999-06	Distinguished Graduate	Distinguished Graduate and Academic Award recipient (1999).	USAF Weapons School (Space Division) Google KGMID · USAF Weapons School (Space Division) Wikidata QID
Master of Science in Human Resources Management	Troy State University	1995			Troy State University Google KGMID · Troy State University Wikidata QID
Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University	1991	Distinguished Graduate	Distinguished graduate; AFROTC cadet wing commander.	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Google KGMID · Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Wikidata QID

Award	Issuing Organization	Description
Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force)	United States Air Force	Awarded with two oak leaf clusters.
Legion of Merit	United States Air Force	Awarded with two oak leaf clusters.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal	United States Department of Defense
Meritorious Service Medal	United States Air Force	Awarded with two oak leaf clusters.
Joint Service Commendation Medal	United States Department of Defense	Awarded with two oak leaf clusters.
Air and Space Commendation Medal	United States Air Force	Awarded with one oak leaf cluster.
Joint Service Achievement Medal	United States Department of Defense
Air and Space Achievement Medal	United States Air Force
Joint Meritorious Unit Award	United States Department of Defense
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award	United States Air Force	Awarded with five oak leaf clusters.
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award	United States Air Force
National Defense Service Medal	United States Air Force
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal	United States Air Force
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal	United States Air Force
Armed Forces Service Medal	United States Air Force
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal	United States Air Force
Air and Space Campaign Medal	United States Air Force
Air and Space Longevity Service Award	United States Air Force	Awarded with eight oak leaf clusters.
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)	United States Air Force
Air Force Training Ribbon	United States Air Force
NATO Medal	North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Organization	Role
Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)	Senior Associate
National Security Space Association	Member of the Board of Advisors

Leadership Proven at the Edge of a New Domain

Strategic Insight for Organizations Navigating New Frontiers

Board Member & Operating Partner

Panel Participation

Media & Commentary

Bring Three Decades of Command Experience to Your Organization.

About DeAnna Burt

About DeAnna Burt

DeAnna Burt: Employment History

DeAnna Burt: Education

DeAnna Burt: Awards & Honors

DeAnna Burt: Affiliations

DeAnna Burt: Key Events & Milestones

DeAnna Burt: Skills & Expertise

DeAnna Burt: Key Concepts

DeAnna Burt: Articles

DeAnna Burt: Media Coverage

DeAnna Burt: Speaking & Events

DeAnna Burt: FAQ

Q1: What was DeAnna Burt's final role in the U.S. Space Force?

Q2: Is DeAnna Burt the first woman to hold general-officer rank in the Space Force?

Q3: When did DeAnna Burt retire from the military?

Q4: What is GMTI, and why was DeAnna Burt associated with it?

DeAnna Burt: Related Entities

DeAnna Burt: External Profiles

Gallery

Machine-Readable Data

Title, Publisher, Date, Word Count, Abstract
Title	Publisher	Date	Word Count	Abstract
The Leaders Who Build the Most Were Never the Smartest Person in the Room	DeAnna Burt	2026-08-06	1589	Why the leaders who build the most durable organizations are never the smartest person in the room — and the one question that unlocks what a team already knows.
Words Matter. Here Is What That Costs.	DeAnna Burt	2026-08-06	1491	Precision is not a communication style. It is an operational standard — and language drift is the most expensive problem most leadership teams never name.
The Budget Is the Argument. Everything Else Is a Wish.	DeAnna Burt	2026-08-06	1464	An organization's actual strategy is not its stated strategy. It is its funded strategy — and the gap between the two is where capability stays locked.
Conviction Is Not Certainty. Stop Confusing Them.	DeAnna Burt	2026-08-06	1422	Certainty is a performance anyone can learn. Conviction is a position held under pressure, at cost, before the outcome is safe — and the two are not the same thing.
Everyone Is in the Engagement Zone. There Is No Rerouting.	DeAnna Burt	2026-08-06	1289	Commercial flights can reroute around a conflict zone. GPS, satellite communications, and space-based data cannot — which means every organization is already exposed.
You Don't Have to Be Ready. You Have to Keep Going.	DeAnna Burt	2026-08-06	1401	Thirty-three years of command, and the doubt never left. A candid account of why the goal was never to silence the voice — only to keep it from deciding.
Unlock the Room: A Leadership Doctrine for Environments Where Being Wrong Is Not Recoverable	DeAnna Burt	2026-08-06	2169	Five principles, thirty-three years of proof: the full Liberation Doctrine for leaders operating in environments where being wrong is not a recoverable outcome.

Title, Outlet, Date, Type, Anchor Text, Description
Title	Outlet	Date	Type	Anchor Text	Description
Lt Gen DeAnna M. Burt Retirement Ceremony	Dover Air Force Base	2025-08-14	Video	Lt Gen DeAnna M. Burt Retirement Ceremony
Video - Lt Gen DeAnna M. Burt Retirement Ceremony	DVIDS	2025-08-14	Video	Lt Gen DeAnna M. Burt Retirement Ceremony
Space Brief 14 Aug 2025	KeepTrack	2025-08-14	Newsletter/Brief	Space Brief 14 Aug 2025
Burt’s parting thoughts on the Space Force and its next chapter		2025-08-13
Space Force preps infrastructure, operators for target-tracking mission	Defense News	2025-08-04	news article	Target-tracking mission preparation	Reporting on Space Force preparations for the GMTI/AMTI mission based on Burt's remarks.
Space Force to launch actual GMTI sats in the next year, general says	Breaking Defense	2025-08	news article	GMTI satellite launch coverage	Coverage of Burt's remarks on the Ground Moving Target Indicator program timeline.
Small uniform tweak, big change for Space Force culture	Air & Space Forces Magazine	2025-08	news article	Uniform and culture coverage	Coverage of Burt's comments on Space Force cultural identity and the 'operators and warfighters' framing.
Space Force's parting thoughts on the service's next chapter	SpaceNews	2025-08	interview	Retirement interview	Retirement interview covering budget advocacy, digital literacy, and advice to Guardians.
Burt's parting thoughts on the Space Force and its next chapter	SpaceNews	2025	News Article	Burt's parting thoughts on the Space Force and its next chapter	Interview reflecting on Burt's retirement and the Space Force's evolution.
Pentagon announces senior U.S. Space Force leadership changes	SpaceNews	2025	News Article	Pentagon announces senior U.S. Space Force leadership changes	Covers restructuring of Burt's former role following her retirement.
Space Force hosts gathering of 18 nations	Space Force	2024-04	News Article	Space Force hosts gathering of 18 nations
Readout of US Space Force Chief Operations Officer Lt. Gen. Burt's travel	SAF/IA	2023-05	Press Readout	Readout of US Space Force Chief Operations Officer Lt. Gen. Burt's travel	Covers Burt's May 2023 trip to Germany and the United Kingdom.
US Space Force Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, Chief Operations Officer for ...	SAF/IA	2023	Photo	US Space Force Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, Chief Operations Officer
General Officer Announcement	U.S. Department of Defense	2022-10-12	Press Release	General Officer Announcement	Announces Burt's nomination for lieutenant general and deputy chief of space operations role.
PN2682 — Maj. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt — Space Force	United States Congress	2022-10-12	Government Record	PN2682 — Maj. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt — Space Force	Senate nomination record.
Burt: Space Force Needs to ‘Get Out of Our Own Way,’ Enable Companies Instead		2022-09-23
Schiess takes over U.S. Space Command's coalition forces component	SpaceNews	2022-08-22	News Article	Schiess takes over U.S. Space Command's coalition forces component	By Sandra Erwin; covers Burt relinquishing CFSCC command.
CFSCC says farewell to Burt, welcomes Schiess	SAF/IA	2022-08	News Article	CFSCC says farewell to Burt, welcomes Schiess	Covers Burt relinquishing command of CFSCC.
Orbital Debris	Prime Movers Lab	2022-04			Some high-value areas in orbit around Earth are getting crowded. The number of spacecraft launched per year has increased ten-fold compared to a decade ago. Statistics vary as references are quickly obsolete with each new launch (which alone reinforces that orbital content is increasing rapidly). Regardless, the trend does not appear to be slowing. The latest Euroconsult Analysis predicts a four-fold increase in satellite launches in the next decade – or approximately 17,000 new satellites.[1] Much of the growth is fueled by the new low and medium earth orbit mega constellations, being brought to you by SpaceX (Starlink), Amazon (Kuiper), OneWeb, Telesat, E-space and China’s GW, to provide relatively inexpensive global internet services. Meanwhile, behemoth communication satellites in geostationary orbits that provide continuous wide-spectrum coverage to an entire continent are not going away. No traffic lights exist on these orbital highways. These operational assets must track traffic in their “neighborhood” and decide whether to take action to ensure they don’t crash. Add uncontrolled, defunct satellites and spent stages of launch vehicles as obstacles on the road. Then literally pepper the expanse with shards from explosions caused by residual fuel, thermally cycled batteries, or in-space collisions. These millions of smaller pieces go whizzing in and out of orbits given the velocity changes imparted when they were birthed by explosions or collisions. At Prime Movers Lab, we have a deep interest in creating a sustainable space environment for the healthy and prosperous growth of the space economy and infrastructure on which we all depend. To understand the dangers of growing congestion and orbital debris – and what we can do about it – we have spent time speaking with numerous companies developing orbital debris-related technologies and services as well as space environmental, insurance, policy, and law experts (see our webinar recap). What follows is a summary of what we have learned.
25 Nations Participate in Global Sentinel 22	U.S. Space Command	2022	News Article	25 Nations Participate in Global Sentinel 22	Covers Burt's opening remarks for the multinational exercise.
USSF Major General Burt visits Korean peninsula	Vandenberg Space Force Base	2021-10	News Article	USSF Major General Burt visits Korean peninsula	Covers Burt's keynote at the Seoul International Aerospace Symposium.
Vandenberg Air Force Base transitions to Space Force base	U.S. Space Command	2021-05-14	News Article	Vandenberg Air Force Base transitions to Space Force base
CFSCC's Combined Space Operations Center hosts first International Space Day celebration	Space Operations Command (SpOC)	2021-05-07	News Article	CFSCC's Combined Space Operations Center hosts first International Space Day celebration
Spacecom Aims to Ensure Space Domain Is Protected, General Says		2021-05-03			U.S. Space Command supports the geographic combatant commanders by defending the space assets used by all commands that are vital to missile warnings and tracking; these include GPS and space-based sensors. Spacecom is also a geographic combatant command since its territory extends from 100 kilometers above the Earth into space.
CFSCC's Combined Space Operations Center hosts first International Space Day	Space Force	2021-05	News Article	CFSCC's Combined Space Operations Center hosts first International Space Day
Major General Deanna "Spice" Burt	Rhone Consulting Copy	2021-03	Profile	Major General Deanna "Spice" Burt
U.S. to support international effort to set rules of behavior in space		2021-02-24
Interview: How the US plans to improve its missile warning satellites	C4ISRNET	2021-01-22	Interview	Interview: How the US plans to improve its missile warning satellites
'We are the center of space operations': Air Force Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt takes charge of unit during first change of command	Santa Maria Times	2020-11-16	News Article	We are the center of space operations	By Dave Minsky; covers Burt taking command of CFSCC.
We are the center of space operations: Air Force Maj. Gen. DeAnna Burt takes charge	Santa Maria Times	2020-11	news article	CFSCC change of command coverage	Coverage of Burt assuming command of the Combined Force Space Component Command at Vandenberg AFB.
U.S. Space Force to expand presence inside the Pentagon	SpaceNews	2020-05-28	News Article	U.S. Space Force to expand presence inside the Pentagon	By Sandra Erwin.
Combined Force Space Component Command welcomes new commander	KSBY	2020	News Article	Combined Force Space Component Command welcomes new commander	Covers Burt's assumption of command of CFSCC.
Burt: Singularly focused on the mission	Colorado Springs Business Journal	2016-05-09	Profile	Burt: Singularly focused on the mission	By Amy Sweet.
Red Flag: Integrating air, space, cyber domains	Nellis Air Force Base	2016	News Article	Red Flag: Integrating air, space, cyber domains	Covers Red Flag 16-3 multi-domain exercise Burt led.
Phoenix 1992 (Embry-Riddle Yearbook)	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University	1992	Yearbook	Phoenix 1992	Documents Burt's role as AFROTC cadet wing commander and chair of the Women's Programming Board.
Wing welcomes 'home' new leader	310th Space Wing / af.mil		News Article	Wing welcomes 'home' new leader
Space Delta 5 holds first change of command ceremony	505th Combat Communications Wing / af.mil		News Article	Space Delta 5 holds first change of command ceremony
Space Flag holds first exercise with coalition partners	AF.mil		News Article	Space Flag holds first exercise with coalition partners
Breaking Barriers	Lift Magazine (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)		Feature/Magazine	Breaking Barriers	Profile discussing Burt's path from ERAU to Space Force leadership.
Lt Gen DeAnna Burt Interview with Moves Power Women	Moves Power Women			Lt Gen DeAnna Burt

Title, Event, Venue, Date, Role, Topic, Links, Description
Title	Event	Venue	Date	Role	Topic	Links	Description
Schriever Spacepower Series	Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies		2025-08-04	Interviewee	Operations, cyber, GMTI/AMTI, and Space Force culture	Recording ↗	Long-form, unscripted interview covering the GMTI/AMTI targeting program, AI adoption, and culture/identity themes.
Burt's Parting Thoughts on the Space Force and Its Next Chapter	SpaceNews Retirement Interview		2025-08	Interviewee	Retirement reflections; budget advocacy; digital literacy		Reflective, first-person interview on budget priorities, AI/ML adoption, and advice to Guardians ahead of her October 2025 retirement.
AFA Warfare Symposium GMTI Panel	AFA Warfare Symposium		2024-02	Panelist	Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) and space-based targeting		Panel discussion on future military target-tracking satellites to be operated by the U.S. Space Force.
Space Force: A New Domain	StarTalk Radio		2021	Guest	The Space Force as a new military domain	Recording ↗	Discussion with Neil deGrasse Tyson on standing up an entirely new military branch.
Combined Force Space Component Command Change of Command	CFSCC Change of Command Ceremony	Vandenberg Air Force Base	2020-11-16	Incoming Commander / Speaker	Assuming command of CFSCC		Burt assumed command of CFSCC from Lt. Gen. John Shaw, remarking that Guardians are warfighters and pledging an innovative, digitally-focused, allied-partnership approach.