Kevin Cirilli sits down with Mark Dreiling, recently named Legacy Guardian #2, at the Space Force Association’s Space Power Conference — marking six years of the United States Space Force.

In this deeply personal conversation, Dreiling reflects on the early days of military space operations, the creation of the Space Force, and the quiet community of Air Force space operators whose careers shaped the service before it even existed. He explains why recognizing “legacy Guardians” matters — not just as symbolism, but as an acknowledgment that today’s Space Force stands on decades of unseen work.

The episode takes an unexpected and powerful turn as Dreiling shares his own story: a rare illness, a life-saving liver transplant, and the overwhelming response from the military space community — including fellow service members who volunteered to become organ donors. It’s a reminder that the future of space isn’t just about technology and strategy, but about people, resilience, and care for one another.

Kevin and Mark explore how advances in science and medicine — many protected and enabled by space infrastructure — are turning what once felt like science fiction into second chances at life. They also discuss why the Space Force’s culture emphasizes continuity, gratitude, and respect for what came before, even as it builds something entirely new.

This episode is about legacy, survival, and optimism — and why protecting the space domain ultimately means protecting human potential itself.