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Past Event
Seminar

U.S. Space Force 101: What Does the Newest Military Branch Actually Do?

RSVP Required Harvard Faculty, Fellows, Staff, and Students

Please join the Belfer Center’s Defense, Emerging Technology, and Strategy Program (DETS) and the Moonshot PIC for a seminar titled “U.S. Space Force 101: What Does the Newest Military Branch Actually Do?” The event will be held on Wednesday, March 27th at 12:00 PM in the Malkin Penthouse. Refreshments will be served.

During this event, we will delve into the rationale that drove the establishment of a dedicated space defense force within the U.S. Armed Forces. Moreover, we will discuss the mission and future trajectory of the U.S. Space Force. This gathering aims to foster connections among students, fellows, and faculty members who share a keen interest in space defense policy.

Date: Time: - Location: Malkin Penthouse, 4th Floor
U.S. Space Force Insignia

Featured Speakers

Lt Col Etan Funches

Lt Col Etan D. Funches

Lt Col Etan D. Funches is a National Security Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Before attending the Kennedy School of Government, he served as Commander of the 3rd Combat Training Squadron at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. Additionally, Lt Col Funches served as direct military strategist to two military service chiefs (Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Chief of Space Operations). Lt Col Funches was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2006. He also graduated from the United States Air Force Weapons School and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Etan is a career space officer with a broad range of experience in satellite command and control, electromagnetic warfare operations, and organizational change.

Lt Col Funches holds a B.A. in International Relations, an M.A. in Global Security, an M.S. in Military Operational Art and Science, and an M.Phil in Military Strategy.

Major Brian Goodman

Major Brian R. Goodman

Major Brian Goodman is a Department of the Air Force Fellow and graduate student at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has previously received a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science Degree from Amridge University.  

Major Goodman initially entered the Air Force in September of 1999 upon graduation from Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas followed by the Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Course at Shepherd Air Force Base, Texas.  Following a 12-year career in Aircraft Maintenance, Major Goodman earned his commission through Officer Training School in 2012 and graduated Undergraduate Space Training in the same year. He has held numerous space operations positions in the Space Battle Management, Electronic Warfare, and Orbital Warfare disciplines. Prior to his current position, Major Goodman was the Chief of Special Programs at the National Reconnaissance Office Operations Center, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.