Major Joe Dietz graduated from Florida Institute of Technology in 2005 with a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering and in 2007 with a Master's of Science in mechanical engineering. He commissioned as a Transportation Officer into the Reserves, also in 2007. He served as a platoon leader during deployment to Kuwait/Iraq in 2008 and as a detachment leader during deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. He holds a PE license in Florida and has spent the last 14 years designing ground facilities and equipment for multiple space launch providers. He currently works for Blue Origin as a Systems Engineer in Launch Operations and is a faculty member of the USMA Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering.