In this installment of our Women’s History Month series, we spotlight Lt Gen (Ret) DeAnna “Spice” Burt, a trailblazer whose career reflects the evolution of military space operations, and the power of adaptability and leadership under pressure.
Growing up on Florida’s Space Coast during the height of the Space Shuttle era, Burt was immersed early in the possibilities of space. With blue-collar roots and limited financial means, she pursued an ROTC scholarship and chose aeronautical engineering, setting the foundation for a career that would span decades of transformation in the space domain.
Entering active duty just after the Gulf War, Burt found herself at a pivotal moment. Space capabilities, once reserved for strategic, Cold War-era scenarios, were rapidly becoming essential to tactical operations on the battlefield. From missile warning to GPS integration, she was part of a generation redefining how space supports warfighters on the ground.
But her career was anything but conventional.
“I always seemed to have jobs that weren’t the ‘normal’ space operator path,” she reflected. From mobile missile warning units in the field to integrating space capabilities in air operations centers, Burt consistently stepped into roles that demanded flexibility and innovation. She pushed for opportunities, including applying multiple times to attend Weapons School before finally being selected. Once there, she stayed on to teach, shaping the next generation of space professionals.
Her leadership journey culminated in some of the most consequential moments in modern space history, including helping stand up U.S. Space Command and contributing to the early formation of the U.S. Space Force. Along the way, she earned multiple advanced degrees, commanded at every level, and led teams through high-stakes, rapidly evolving missions.
Yet one of her most defining leadership moments came outside the traditional space environment at Nellis Air Force Base during a Red Flag exercise.
despite not being a pilot and the first woman in the role, Burt was selected to serve as the Air Expeditionary Wing Commander for a major exercise. She faced immediate skepticism. The stakes were high: hundreds of aircraft, complex operations, and a culture deeply rooted in aviation tradition.
“I knew I was either going to be a hero or a zero,” she said.
Rather than trying to fit a mold, Burt leaned into authentic leadership. She worked the same grueling overnight shifts as her team, built trust through presence, and focused on the mission. When issues arose, she addressed them directly, not by asserting authority through rank or technical expertise, but by holding the team accountable to their own standards.
“You’re the best pilots in the world,” she told them. “So act like it.”
The result? A successful exercise, a unified team, and a promotion to brigadier general.
Just as important as commanding from the front was her commitment to leading alongside her team. During the exercise, Burt made it a point to walk the flight line at night, handing out drinks and popsicles to maintainers working in extreme heat.
“The exercise doesn’t happen without them,” she said.
That philosophy – valuing every role, every contribution – defined her leadership style.
As she reflects on her career, Burt is candid about the internal challenges many leaders face, regardless of rank.
“I had that voice in my head the entire time,” she admitted. “Am I ready? Do I belong here?”
Her advice to the next generation is simple, but powerful.
“When you stop learning, you stop leading.”
She also encourages young professionals to push past self-doubt.
“You earned your place. You’ve done the work. Don’t let that voice tell you otherwise.”
Now in retirement, Burt continues to contribute to the space community through consulting, mentorship, and advisory roles. While the pace may be different, her mission remains the same: advancing the capabilities and people who will define the future of spacepower.
Her story is a reminder that leadership isn’t necessarily a predefined path. It’s about forging your own, lifting others along the way, and showing up, again and again, ready to learn.
And in doing so, leaving the door open a little wider for those who follow.
