Colonel Mark A. Olinger, U.S. Army, is currently serving as Director of Operations for the Defense Energy Support Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was previously assigned as Commander, Defense Energy Support Center–Middle East. He has served in a number of command and staff positions in the United States, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the Middle East and Germany.

His combat service includes company commander in the 528th Support Battalion (Airborne) during Operation Earnest Well/Prime Chance in the Arabian Gulf; deputy director of logistics (J-4), U.S. Special Operations Command–South/Joint Special Operations Task Force during Operation Just Cause in Panama; and support operations officer in the 528th Support Battalion (Airborne) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During Operation Iraqi Freedom he served as Commander, 142d Corps Support Battalion, and later as assistant chief of staff for logistics (G-4) for the 1st Armored Division.

Colonel Olinger’s military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Basic Course, U.S. Army Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare Course (non-resident), the Operations Research Systems Analysis Military Applications Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.