Michael D. Lumpkin

Michael D. Lumpkin
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
In office December 2, 2013 – June 24, 2014
Preceded by	James N. Miller
Succeeded by	Christine E. Wormuth
Personal details
Born	(1964-10-14) October 14, 1964 Oceanside, California, U.S.
Political party	Democrat
Alma mater	University of California, San Diego Naval Postgraduate School
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1986–2007
Rank	Commander
Unit	U.S. Navy SEALs

Michael D. Lumpkin (born October 14, 1964) is an American former Naval Officer who is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict and performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the United States Department of Defense.

Life and education

Lumpkin was born in Oceanside, California, grew up in Vista, California and graduated from University of California, San Diego.

Lumpkin has a Master's Degree in National Security Affairs and he is recognized by the Department of Defense as a specialist in both the Western Hemisphere and Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict.

As a Navy SEAL, Lumpkin held every leadership position from Platoon Commander to Commanding Officer of a Team. Two of these assignments were in the Republic of Panama which served as his operational hub. In Latin America, he was formally recognized by the Armed Forces Preparedness Association for his Outstanding Contributions to National Security while conducting counter-narcotics operations. Lumpkin also served as the Officer in Charge of the training and readiness of all West Coast SEAL Teams. The Teams he trained performed magnificently in the invasion of both Afghanistan and Iraq while sustaining no casualties.

Lumpkin's final assignment in the military was in United States Special Operations Command Office of Legislative Affairs in Washington, D.C. where he served as liaison to the United States Congress on policy and appropriation issues supporting our nation's Special Operations Forces.

During his 21 years of service, Lumpkin has received over 40 commendations and awards and was selected for promotion to Captain (O-6), however he retired instead. He was the Democratic nominee in California's 52nd District's Congressional race in the 2008 elections.

Political positions

• Self-proclaimed "fiscal conservative".
• Advocate of personal responsibility.
• Gun owner.

Military career

SEAL Commander

Lumpkin is qualified as both a Surface Warfare Officer and Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) Officer. During his military career as a US Navy SEAL, Lumpkin was assigned to eight operational tours and one as Commanding Officer of a Team. Two of these assignments were in the Republic of Panama. Other assignments included serving as Commanding Officer of Naval Small Craft Instructional and Technical Training School which trained foreign nationals in riverine and maritime operations. During the September 11, 2001 attacks, he was assigned as Officer in Charge of the training and readiness of all West Coast SEAL Teams. In 2004, Lumpkin served as the Deputy Commander of Special Operations Forces in Iraq where he supervised the daily operations of over 2000 Special Operators working in over 40 locations throughout the country. While in Iraq, he also oversaw the operations of 6 High Value Target interrogation facilities and was the principal planner for the establishment of the personal security detail for Interim Iraqi Government. His final assignment in uniform was at United States Special Operations Command Office of Legislative Affairs in Washington, D.C. where he served as liaison to the United States Congress on policy and appropriation issues supporting our nation’s Special Operations Forces.

Post Military

After retiring from military service, Lumpkin served in a variety of positions in government and the private sector. His previous government positions include Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, and Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense. Lumpkin's private sector experience includes Director of Business Development at ATI and CEO at Industrial Security Alliance Partners.

External links

• Official biography