David D. Thompson
Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force
MSAAE 1989
"Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly."Micah 6:8, paraphrased
For his distinguished service in the United States Air Force illustrating decades of command leadership working across the Department of Defense integrating space policy, guidance, coordination and synchronization of space-related activities, and issue resolution to defend our nation in space.
Now serving as the first Vice Chief of Space Operations for the new U.S. Space Force, General David "D.T." Thompson has consistently excelled in diverse roles during more than 37 years of military service.
Thompson works across the Department of Defense on all aspects of the Space Force's responsibility to organize, train and equip space forces and provide space capabilities to U.S. and allied forces. He leads critical activities in the establishment and growth of the first new branch of service in 72 years including: designing and building a 21st century military service that is lean, agile and mission-focused; driving strategic innovation into this new organization to meet the national security challenges the nation faces in space and to leverage the investment and innovation resident in the burgeoning commercial space sector; and advocating for national policy and strategies that foster stability, responsible behavior and peaceful use of the space domain for all.
Thompson was commissioned in 1985 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Since then he has served in numerous assignments related to space operations, acquisition, research and development and academia.
His first of two master's degrees came from Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1989. He says the success in undergraduate studies came "relatively quickly and easily," but Purdue's master's program was much more challenging. "I had to work very hard to understand the material and demonstrate mastery at a satisfactory level," he says. "Recognizing that I had to grapple with such a complex subject and work diligently to understand it gave me a greater appreciation for the field and a deep sense of satisfaction in mastering it."
It also prepared him well become an Assistant Professor of Astronautics at the Air Force Academy and later as an Olmsted Scholar, graduate of the Senior Acquisition Course, and certified Defense Acquisition Program Manager. Thompson subsequently commanded operational space units at the squadron, group and wing levels, where a deep technical knowledge of the operational domain of space and techniques learned from his engineering education brought success.
General Thompson has been recognized often for his exemplary service. He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, National Reconnaissance Office Gold Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Outstanding Unit Award, as well as receiving recognition for outstanding service from the National Defense Industrial Association and Air Force Association. In 2019, Purdue University's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics recognized Thompson with the Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award.
Looking back across a long and distinguished career, Thompson reflects on his education and offers this advice to today's engineering students at Purdue: "Do not be afraid to ask questions that risk showing your lack of knowledge or understanding. Failure to ask questions is the greatest barrier to learning and to developing in one's profession and as a leader. More often than not, there are many others in the room with similar questions."
Career Highlights
| 2020-present | Vice Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force |
|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | Vice Commander, U.S. Space Force |
| 2015-2019 | Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command |
| 2014-2015 | Director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command |
| 2012-2014 | Deputy Director of Global Operations, U.S. Strategic Command |
| 2011-2012 | Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Air Force Space Command |
| 2010-2011 | Vice Commander, Air Force Warfare Center |
| 2009-2010 | Director of Space Forces, Air Forces Central, Southwest Asia |
| 2007-2009 | Commander, Aerospace Data Facility - Colorado |
| 2005-2007 | Commander, 45th Operations Group and Director, Eastern Range, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
| 2002-2004 | Operations Officer and Commander, 2nd Space Launch Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base |
| 1998-2002 | Spacelift Vehicle Requirements Officer, Headquarters Air Force Space Command |
| 1995-1997 | Program Manager, Advanced MILSATCOM Programs, Space and Missile Systems Center |
| 1989-1992 | Assistant Professor, Department of Astronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy |
| 1985-1988 | Experimental Rocket Propulsion Engineer, Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory |
Education
| 1985 | BS Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy |
|---|---|
| 1989 | MS Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University |
| 2005 | MS National Security Industrial Policy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces |