COL Derek Bothern USA

Colonel Derek D. Bothern is the Deputy Director, Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence, in the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC). COL Bothern spent the first ten years as an Army Logistics officer serving at the company and battalion level. In 2010, he transitioned to Army Space Operations serving as a Space Detachment Commander, Space Battalion Operations Officer, Corp Space Operations Planner, Combatant Commander Senior Space Planner, and Multidomain Effects Battalion Commander.

COL Bothern serves as the Deputy Director, Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence, where he is responsible for 303 personnel in 10 locations across the United States. Provides budget oversight for a $325 million portfolio that includes: concept development, capabilities determination and capabilities integration relative to doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities and policy (DOTMLPFP). Additionally, he supports the execution of the Army’s institutional training and education for Army space, high-altitude, and global ballistic missile defense mission areas and executes life-cycle management for U.S. Army space operations officers.

COL Bothern’s most recent positions include Sensor Data Architecture and Management Branch Chief for the All -Domain Sensing Cross Functional Team and the Space Superiority Branch Chief for the Transformation Integration Directorate – Space Superiority (TID SS).

COL Bothern is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating with a degree in Psychology and receiving a commission in the Quartermaster Corps. He holds a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Air Force War College, AL and in Space Operations Acquisitions and Project Management from Webster University, MO.

COL Bothern is married to Heather Bothern. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, two grandchildren, and Jake the dog.