Colonel Marietta E. Sanders is the Commander of the 88th Mission Support Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. She leads a diverse team supporting 129 mission partners and more than 38,000 Airmen across the installation. The 88 MSG includes the Air Force Marathon, Communications Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Force Support Squadron, Security Forces Squadron, Operations Support Squadron, as well as oversight of installation support functions provided by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Defense Commissary Agency. Prior to this assignment she was the Chief, Military Force Policy Division, Military Force Management Policy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
Colonel Sanders entered the Air Force in 2003 upon commissioning from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. She has served in a variety of assignments at the base, major command, and headquarters levels. Additionally, she has deployed in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and the Global War on Terrorism. Prior to her current assignment she was a student at the Marine Corps War College, Marine Corps University, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Virginia.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
2004 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2008 Master of Arts, Political Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2015 Master of Science, Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2017 Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JPME Phase II), Norfolk Naval Station, Norfolk, VA
2021 Air War College, by correspondence
2024 Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Marine War College, Quantico MCB, VA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2003 - March 2004, Squadron Executive Officer, followed by Chief, Customer Support, 377th Mission Support Squadron, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
2. March 2004 - November 2004, Chief, Personnel Relocations and Employment, Military Personnel Flight, 377th Mission Support Squadron, Kirtland AF, New Mexico
3. November 2004 - July 2005, Executive Officer, 377th Mission Support Group, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
4. July 2005 - July 2006, Section Commander, 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
5. July 2006 - May 2008, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Program, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
6. May 2008 - September 2009, Chief, Promotions and Personnel Programs, followed by Operations Officer, Personnel Services Division, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Air Force District of Washington, Andrews AFB, Maryland
7. September 2009 - January 2011, Flight Commander, Sustainment Services Flight, 11th Force Support Squadron, JB
Andrews, Maryland
8. January 2011 - November 2011, Operations Officer, 11th Force Support Squadron, JB Andrews, Maryland
9. November 2011 - July 2014, Instructor, Political Science, followed by Executive Officer and Assistant Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
10. July 2014 - June 2015, Student Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
11. June 2015 - May 2016, Chief, Policy Integration, Plans and Integration Directorate, Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
12. May 2016 – May 2018, Deputy Legislative Assistant, Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
13. May 2018 – May 2018, Commander, 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE.
14. July 2019 – July 2021, Commander, 21st Force Support Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colorado
15. July 2021 – Jun 2022, Deputy Director, Human Capital, Headquarters Space Operations Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
16. Jun 2022 – July 2023, Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Force Personnel Center, JBSA-Randolph, Texas
17. July 2023 – June 2024, Student, Marine Corps War College, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Viginia
18. June 2024 – July 2025, Chief, Military Force Policy Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia
19. July 2025 – present, Commander, 88th Mission Support Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2016 – May 2018, Deputy Legislative Assistant, Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVMENTS
Distinguished Graduate, Basic Personnel Officer School, 2004
Air Force District of Washington Company Grade Officer of the Year, 2010
11th Wing Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, Junior Officer Category for 2011
Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College, 2015
(Current as of Jul 2025)