The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Steven D. Garland, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in duties of great responsibility. Brigadier Garland distinguished himself as Vice Commander, FOURTEENTH Air Force, Air Force Space Command, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and Commander, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, from 25 June 2014 to 30 November 2017. During this period, General Garland’s exceptional vision, leadership, and operational perspective delivered unparalleled accomplishments in national and international space operations, as well as Joint officer development tailored to Air Force global requirements. As Vice Commander, FOURTEENTH Air Force, General Garland’s leadership of 19,500 people, executing 28 weapons systems across 58 worldwide locations, ensured the successful operation of 120 billion dollars in critical space capabilities for the Nation’s defense and drove a national dialogue on command and control of the space enterprise. He led 83 national security space and commercial launches, authored analysis to Congress for replacement of the Russian RD-180 engine, and oversaw the Defense Department’s largest-ever employment of space control capabilities indirect support of the Commander, United States Central Command. During Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, he provided 160 hours of combat space effects during 60 troops-in-contact missions. He also oversaw development of the National Space Defense Center where he fast-tracked 16 million dollars to accelerate stand-up of the only center dedicated to advanced space warfighting development and multi-domain operations. As the Holm Center Commander, General Garland led over 3,200 Airmen and 163,000 students operating at 2,140 worldwide locations executing accession programs for the production of over 85 percent of the Air Force officer corps. His leadership synchronized Joint officer accessions policy with the Tri-Service Committee, institutionalized a Total Force Continuum for the accessions enterprise, inculcated a continuous process improvement culture, and modernized curriculum delivery across the Holm Center. Finally, he build a dynamic officer accessions strategy enabling the United States Air Force to execute the largest un-programmed manpower increase since the Vietnam era. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Garland culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.