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
The Laser Future Of U.S. Missile Defense
May 2, 2012 • By Mark Gunzinger and Andrew F. Krepinevich • Analysis
Russia and China recognize the low-cost efficiency of lasers. Does the Pentagon? For 20 years, from the first Gulf War to the recent bombardment of Libya, the U.S. military has…
Changing the Game: the Promise of Directed-Energy Weapons
April 19, 2012 • By Mark Gunzinger and Christopher Dougherty • Studies
Emerging directed energy technologies have the potential to transition to real-world military capabilities over the next twenty years; and become a particularly promising source of operational advantage for the U.S. military
Backgrounder: Operating from Range to Defeat Iran’s Anti-Access and Area-Denial Threats
January 20, 2012 • By Mark Gunzinger • Briefs
The Obama administration has released new strategic guidance for the Department of Defense (DoD) that announces its intent to “rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region” and maintain the capability to “project…
Outside-In: Operating from Range to Defeat Iran’s Anti-Access and Area-Denial Threats
January 17, 2012 • By Mark Gunzinger and Christopher Dougherty • Studies
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the U.S. military has been able to project power overseas ..
Sustaining America’s Strategic Advantage in Long-Range Strike
September 14, 2010 • By Mark Gunzinger • Studies
The ability to conduct long-range strike operations has long provided the United States with a decisive military advantage over its enemies. Today, that advantage is dissipating