Mark Gunzinger
Senior Fellow
Areas of Expertise
Strategy Development, Force Planning, Long-Term Military Competition, Defense Transformation, Air Warfare, Quadrennial Defense Review
Biography
Mark Gunzinger is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.
Mr. Gunzinger has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Forces Transformation and Resources. He is the principal author or co-author of multiple Defense Planning Guidance directives, key strategic planning documents that shape DoD force planning. A retired Air Force Colonel and Command Pilot, he joined the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2004. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and served as Principal Director of the Department’s central staff for the 2005–2006 QDR. Following the 2006 QDR, he was appointed Director for Defense Transformation, Force Planning and Resources on the National Security Council staff.
Mr. Gunzinger holds a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College, a Master of Airpower Art and Science degree from the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the United States Air Force Academy (Class of 1977).
He is the recipient of the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit Medal.
Author Bibliography for Mark Gunzinger
Telling Hard Truths: Budget Cuts Are Coming; Protect Crown Jewels
June 24, 2013 • By Evan B. Montgomery and Mark Gunzinger • Analysis
In August 2011, the Budget Control Act was signed into law and sequestration quickly became a buzzword in Washington. Facing the prospect of $500 billion in defense cuts over the…
Shaping America’s Future Military: Toward a New Force Planning Construct
June 13, 2013 • By Mark Gunzinger • Studies
This year, DoD will conduct yet another Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) of its strategy, plans, and programs. Similar to strategic reviews completed since the end of the Cold War, the QDR is expected to produce guidance for how the Pentagon intends to size and shape its future forces.
Open Letter to Congress: Defense Reform Consensus
June 3, 2013 • By Todd Harrison, Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jim Thomas, Eric Edelman, and Mark Gunzinger • Analysis
A striking bipartisan consensus exists today across the think tank community on the need for Pentagon and Congressional leaders to address the growing imbalances within the defense budget that threaten the health and long-term viability of America’s volunteer military.
Strategic Choices Exercise Outbrief
May 29, 2013 • By Todd Harrison, Jim Thomas, Mark Gunzinger, Andrew F. Krepinevich, Eric Lindsey, Evan B. Montgomery, and Zack Cooper • Studies
As the Pentagon nears completion of its ongoing Strategic Choices and Management Review, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments conducted an external Strategic Choices Exercise with teams of experts…
Strategic Choices: Navigating Austerity
November 27, 2012 • By Todd Harrison and Mark Gunzinger • Studies
The report is based on the insights developed through a series of exercises that CSBA conducted during the summer of 2012. The exercises sought to inform the debate on the way defense resources are allocated in light of declining budgets, the evolving threat environment and the changing DoD’s priorities.