Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mariner is currently assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Policy Division. In this capacity, he leads, develops, coordinates, and oversees implementation of national space policy in support of the Secretary of Defense and National Security Council. He reviews acquisition programs and joint exercises ensuring space systems, processes, and policies support warfighter operations. He also performs research and analysis from the perspective of meeting U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives to prepare senior defense leaders for space-related Congressional, interagency, international, and private industry activities