Laura Falkenbach was born in North Carolina and is a second-generation Marine. She is a retired Marine Corps Reserve Colonel and 25+ year career civil service employee. She received her commission from United States Naval Academy and spent 10 years on active duty before transitioning to the Marine Corps Reserves. Upon leaving active-duty Ms. Falkenbach began her federal service career.
Ms. Falkenbach’s active-duty assignments included 3rd FSSG, Okinawa, 4 th Recruit Training Battalion, PISC, Facilities Division, Quantico and Blount Island Command. Her Reserve assignments included 2nd BTO, 4th LSB, Dep G3/5 MARFOREUR/MARFORAF and HQMC, PL Division.
Ms. Falkenbach’s first civil service job was the Director, Plans at Blount Island Command where she was responsible for Maritime Prepositioning Ships and Marine Corps Prepositioning Program – Norway planning. After Blount Island Command, she transferred to MARFOREUR as a Planning, Programming, Budget, Execution System (PPBES) Analyst. She completed her assignment at MARFOREUR/MARFORAF as the Deputy G3/5.
Ms. Falkenbach left MARFOREUR/MARFORAF in 2011 and joined the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Policy (DUSN(P)). During her tenure with DUSN (P) she was a PPBES analyst and Senior Director for Policy and Strategy. As the Sr Director she was responsible for the implementation of DON-wide strategic plans, policies and program guidance in support of national security policy objectives. Her portfolio included global posture, Global Force Management, nuclear, space and C-UAS policy and AUKUS.
Ms. Falkenbach entered the Senior Executive Service in 2024 as the Principal Director for DUSN (P), the principal advisor to the DUSN (P) on all aspects of foreign and national security policy and policy matters related to emerging naval capabilities and concepts.
Ms. Falkenbach is currently assigned as the Director for Global Posture Division, PP&O, HQMC and responsible for Marine Corps global force posture, governance and oversight for the Pacific Posture Enterprise and compliance with international, posture-related agreements.
Laura earned a master’s degree in public administration from University of Maryland University College and completed the MIT Seminar XXI Program in 2015.