Brig. Gen. Jennifer L. Grant retired after serving as the first Director of Plans and Programs, Office of the Chief of Strategy and Resources, Headquarters United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, after the United States Space Force was created in December 2019. In this position, she was responsible for the entire development and integration of the Space Force resource allocation planning and programming. She initiated and led a staff of more than 40 military and civilians in the development and integration of the Space Force plan and program across the Future Years Defense Plan, whose portfolio value exceeded $100 billion.
Brig. Gen. Grant entered the Air Force in 1995 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. Her career included various satellite space operations, launch, test and acquisition program management assignments within the National Reconnaissance Office and Air Force Space Command. She also served in staff positions within both organizations, as well as the Joint Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Brig. Gen. Grant commanded the 2nd Space Operations Squadron, the 30th Operations Group and the 50th Space Wing. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California Graduate School of Education, the Naval Post Graduate School, and the National War College.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science, Political Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Superior Leader Award, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2001 Master of Science, Education, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
2003 Master of Arts certificate, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
2006 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2007 Master of Business Administration, IDE and Distinguished Graduate, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
2010 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Master of Science, National Security Strategy and Policy, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2017 Leadership Development for Executives, University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School
2018 Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2019 Senior Leader Orientation Course, Andrews AFB, Washington, D.C.
2020 Senior Leader CAPSTONE, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1995–May 1998, Command Center Processing and Display System Replacement System Test Manager and Technical Control Upgrade Program Manager for the Cheyenne Mountain Upgrade Program Office; Center Deputy Chief of Protocol, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
2. May 1998–May 2001, Space-Based Infrared System High Systems Integration Manager, Program Office Executive Officer, Defense Support Program Flight 20 Launch Test Director; and Branch Chief, Plans and Programs for the Space Based Infrared Systems Program Office, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
3. July 2000–August 2000, Student, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
4. June 2001–June 2002, Branch Chief, Production, SAF Project Office, Under SECAF ELM, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
5. June 2002–June 2003, Air Force Intern Program (Intern Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, SAF/AQC Project Officer and SAF/USAE PEM), the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
6. September 2001–December 2005, Air Force White House Social Aide and Senior Aide for White House Social Aides, White House Military Office, Washington, D.C.
7. June 2003–May 2006, Branch Chief, Satellite Readiness, Executive Officer to the Deputy Director for System Engineering, and Lead Engineer for Ground Support and Simulation, Office of Space Technology, Under SECAF, with duty at the National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.
8. June 2006–December 2007, Intermediate Developmental Education Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
9. December 2007–August 2008, Crew Commander and Director of Engineering, National Reconnaissance Office Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
10. September 2008–August 2010, Aide-de-Camp to the Commander and Assistant to the Chief of Strategy and Policy, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
11. January 2010 GPS IQT, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
12. August 2010–August 2012, Commander, 2nd Space Operations Squadron, Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.
13. August 2012–June 2013, Student, National War College, National Defense University, Washington, D.C. 14 June 2013–June 2015, Space and C4ISR Analyst, Joint Staff, J-8, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
15. July 2015–June 2017, Commander, 30th Operations Group, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
16. July 2017–June 2019, Commander, 50th Space Wing, Schriever AFB, Colo.
17. July 2019–December 2020, Chief, Space Superiority Division, Office of Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
18. December 2020–March 2023, Director of Plans and Programs, Office of the Chief of Strategy and Resources, Headquarters, United States Space Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2013–June 2015, Space and C4ISR Analyst, Joint Staff, J-8, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a lieutenant colonel.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 31, 1995
First Lieutenant May 31, 1997
Captain May 31, 1999
Major July 1, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel Feb. 1, 2010
Colonel July 1, 2015
Brigadier General July 2, 2020
(Current as of March 2023)