Pentagon Ousts Space Policy Chief Berkowitz

"From what I have been told, Colby doesn’t care about space so it has been frustrating," an industry consultant with Pentagon ties said.

Michael Gancio steps in as acting assistant secretary

The Pentagon has quietly moved Michael Gancio into the role of acting assistant secretary for space policy, replacing Marc Berkowitz, according to an update on the Defense Department’s website. Gancio’s official DoD biography describes a background in intelligence and notes that he most recently served as an advisor to Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Marc Berkowitz: confirmation, start date, and reported resignation

Sources inside and outside the Pentagon told reporters that Marc Berkowitz resigned from the post. Berkowitz had been confirmed by the Senate in December and officially started at his post in January. Two sources said he left the position on Wednesday; Berkowitz could not be reached for comment.

No formal announcement; DoD website reflects the change

The personnel change was not accompanied by a formal announcement. As of Thursday, the Defense Department’s website had been updated: Berkowitz’s biography now lists him as the “former” assistant secretary, and Gancio’s biography lists him as the acting assistant secretary. The Office of the Secretary of Defense did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Reported clashes with Elbridge Colby

Government and industry sources told reporters that Berkowitz, who has had a long space-oriented career in both government and industry, had clashed with his boss, Elbridge Colby, on more than one occasion. That tension was emphasized by the industry consultant quoted above, who framed the relationship as a broader source of frustration within some quarters.

What this means for Sen. Tom Cotton’s office, the Pentagon space policy shop, and industry consultants

• Sen. Tom Cotton’s office: Gancio’s recent role as an advisor to the senator — who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence — is now a publicly noted part of his DoD biography and may shape how congressional committees view his interim leadership.
• Pentagon space policy shop: The office has a new acting assistant secretary in place on the DoD website but no formal public announcement. That combination of a leadership change and a quiet handoff may affect internal continuity and external signalling on space policy.
• Industry consultants and government sources: Those already reporting frustration over internal clashes will watch whether the personnel shift reduces or reconfigures tensions between the space policy office and its leadership, including Elbridge Colby.

The Department of Defense has updated its public personnel pages to reflect the change, but the absence of a formal announcement and the accounts of internal clashes leave a narrow public record: Berkowitz is now listed as the former assistant secretary, Michael Gancio is listed as acting, and sources say Berkowitz resigned after less than a year on the job. Whether a formal statement, a permanent nomination, or further personnel moves follow has not been disclosed.

Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/berkowitz-out-at-dod-space-policy-office/