Professor Pennington is an experienced national security professional. As the Senior Research Fellow for Space Strategy and Policy at the National Defense University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies, he conducts research and provides analysis on national security space matters to senior Department of Defense officials and other stakeholders. His experience as a legal advisor includes serving as Associate General Counsel for Intelligence (with portfolio for national security space programs) at the Department of Defense Office of General Counsel. During his 25 year career as an active duty Air Force officer, he served as the Staff Judge Advocate for United States Space Commmand, and the Staff Judge Advocate for United States Space Force. He previously served as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (with portfolio for nuclear operations and continuity of government) and as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the Joint Special Operations Command. His national security law experience includes multiple tours supporting space, nuclear, and special operations missions (including eight deployments supporting special operations forces). Professor Pennington also has extensive experience serving in the Pacific, including as a member of the United States delegation to talks under the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement with the People’s Republic of China. Professor Pennington is a member of the Tennessee bar.