Michael Guetlein
Official portrait, 2021
Born (1967-11-22) November 22, 1967
Oklahoma, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
United States Air Force
Years of service
1991–2021 (Air Force)
  • 2021–present (Space Force)
RankLieutenant General
Commands held
Space Systems Command
Awards
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Alma mater
Oklahoma State University (BS)

Michael Anthony Guetlein (born November 22, 1967) is a United States Space Force lieutenant general who is the nominee to serve as the second vice chief of space operations. He has served as the first commander of Space Systems Command since 2021. He also served as the deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office from 2019 to 2021.

Guetlein was born and raised in Oklahoma. He joined the United States Air Force in 1991 after graduating from the Oklahoma State University. He is a career acquisitions officer who has worked in special operations, global power projection, missile warning and detection, and counterspace programs. He has commanded the Rapid Reaction Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and the Space Force Element to the National Reconnaissance Office. He has also led Space and Missile Systems Center's Space-Based Infrared System Production Division and Remote Sensing Systems Directorate.

Guetlein transferred to the Space Force in 2021 while serving as NRO deputy director. In the same year, he became the inaugural commander of Space Systems Command. In 2023, he was nominated for promotion to general and appointment as vice chief of space operations.

Early life and education

Guetlein was born on November 22, 1967.[1] He comes from a military family from Oklahoma. His father and grandfather both served in the United States Army, the latter serving during World War II.[2]

Guetlein graduated with a B.S. degree in mechanical aerospace engineering in 1991 from Oklahoma State University. In 1995, he received an MBA from the Wright State University. He also received a Master's degree in organizational management from the George Washington University in 1999 and a Master's in national security and policy making from the Naval War College. He also went to the Air War College. In 2011, he was part of the Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellowship Program at SpaceX.[3]

Military career

As early as he was three years old, Guetlein wanted to be in the United States Air Force.[2]

Guetlein entered the Air Force on May 11, 1991, after earning his commission as a second lieutenant from the Oklahoma State University's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. From 1991 to 19936, he served at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, starting as an AC-130U gunship support manager at the Special Operations Program Office for two years. He then went on to serve as chief of B-2 bomber propulsion at the B-2 Program Office until 1994. After that, he served as executive officer at the Engineering Directorate from 1994 to 1996.[3]

From 1996 to 1997, Guetlein was stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida, first serving as an AC-130U gunship sortie generation flight commander for the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit for six months. He then served AC-130H gunship flight commander for the 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. He was then assigned at the Pentagon as an intern at the Air Force headquarters, while he was studying at the George Washington University.[3]

On July 9, 2019, Guetlein became deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). As deputy director, he also served as commander of the Air Force element to the NRO.[4]

In 2021, Guetlein was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and appointment as commander of Space Systems Command.[5][6] In July 2023, Guetlein was nominated for promotion to general and appointment as vice chief of space operations.[7][8]

Assignments

Guetlein (right) accepts the Space Systems Command flag from Gen John W. Raymond (left) during the SSC activation ceremony, 2021

1. September 1991–September 1993, AC-130U Gunship Support Manager, Special Operations Program Office, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. October 1993–August 1994, Chief, B-2 Bomber Propulsion, B-2 Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. August 1994–January 1996, Executive Officer, Engineering Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. January 1996–July 1996, AC-130U Gunship Sortie Gen. Flight Commander, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. July 1996–July 1997, AC-130H Gunship Flight Commander, 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
6. July 1997–June 1999, Air Force Intern, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
7. June 1999–March 2002, Deputy Program Manager, Space-Based Infrared System Ground Segment, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
8. March 2002–March 2003, Director, Missile Warning Systems, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
9. March 2003–June 2004, Executive Officer, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
10. June 2004–June 2005, Student, Naval War College, Newport Naval Station, R.I.
11. June 2005–December 2006, Counterspace Program Element Monitor, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
12. December 2006–June 2008, Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. June 2008–July 2010, Commander, Rapid Reaction Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
14. July 2010–June 2011, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, Space Exploration Enterprises, Los Angeles, Calif.
15. June 2011–August 2014, Senior Materiel Leader, Space-Based Infrared System Production Division, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
16. September 2014–April 2017, Program Director, Remote Sensing Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
17. April 2017–June 2019, Program Executive for Programs and Integration, Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
18. July 2019–August 2021, Deputy Director and Air Force Element Commander, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.
18. August 2021–present, Commander, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

Personal life

Guetlein is an outdoor enthusiast. He likes hiking, camping, the beach, and wine tasting.[2]

Awards and decorations

Lt Gen Greaves presents an award to Guetlein, 2016

Guetlein is the recipient of the following awards:[3]

Command Space Operations Badge
 Air Force Master Acquisition and Financial Management Badge
 Air Staff Badge
Defense Distinguished Service Medal[9]
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges
 Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
 Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Achievement Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Silver oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)

Dates of promotion

Guetlein's family pins on his first star during his promotion ceremony to brigadier general, 2016
RankBranchDate[3]
Second LieutenantAir ForceMay 11, 1991
First LieutenantJuly 20, 1993
CaptainJuly 20, 1995
MajorJune 1, 2002
Lieutenant ColonelMarch 1, 2006
ColonelOctober 1, 2010
Brigadier GeneralJuly 22, 2016
Major GeneralSeptember 24, 2019
Major GeneralSpace Force~April 29, 2021
Lieutenant GeneralAugust 13, 2021

Writings

  • Lethal Autonomous Weapons — Ethical and Doctrinal Implications (PDF) (M.S.). Naval War College. February 14, 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 2, 2021.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael A. Guetlein.
  1. ↑ "Florida voter ID number 107518905". Family Search. October 26, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. 1 2 3 Fisher, Paul (October 18, 2021). "A New South Bay Resident Pilots the Latest Chapter in El Segundo's Legendary Aerospace History". Southbay.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lieutenant General Michael A. Guetlein". United States Space Force. October 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ↑ "USAF Major General Michael Guetlein becomes NRO deputy director". July 10, 2019.
  5. ↑ "PN823 — Maj. Gen. Michael A. Guetlein — Space Force". U.S. Congress. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  6. ↑ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  7. ↑ "PN826 — Lt. Gen. Michael A. Guetlein — Space Force, 118th Congress (2023-2024)". U.S. Congress. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  8. ↑ Hitchens, Theresa (July 12, 2023). "Biden nominates Space Force's Whiting to head SPACECOM". Breaking Defense. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  9. ↑ "NRO welcomes new deputy director, Maj. Gen. Donna Shipton".
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