Michael D. Lumpkin

Michael D. Lumpkin
Former Acting Assistant Secretary / Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict
Incumbent
Assumed office
2011
Commander United States Navy SEAL
In office
1986–2007
Personal details
Born 1964
Oceanside, California
Alma mater University of California, San Diego
Naval Postgraduate School
Military service
Service/branch United States Navy SEAL
Years of service 1986–2007
Rank Commander, Captain (O-6) select

Michael D. Lumpkin currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict. He simultaneously assumed duties as Acting Assistant Secretary for the same office when appointed. He held both offices until December 20, 2011 when a Senate confirmed Assistant Secretary was sworn in to office. Previously, Mr. Lumpkin served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC. Mr. Lumpkin is a retired United States Navy SEAL Commander - a proven combat leader who served as the former Deputy Commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has military experience at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of national policy.[1] Mr. Lumpkin has also deployed to Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and the Philippines in support of our nation’s ongoing Global War on Terrorism. His experience also includes planning and executing counternarcotics and counterinsurgency operations in Central and South America.[2] He has a Master's Degree in National Security[3] from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.[4] Mr. Lumpkin was born in Oceanside, California, grew up in Vista, California and graduated from University of California, San Diego.

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Early life and education

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

Mr. 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, Mr. Lumpkin served eight operational tours and one as 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. Mr. 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, Mr. Lumpkin has received over 40 commendations and awards and was selected for promotion to Captain (O-6). He was a general election candidate in California's 52nd District's Congressional race in the 2008 elections.

Political positions

Military career

SEAL Commander

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 all Special Operations 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.[6] 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.

Career after leaving the US Navy

2008-2010

After retiring from the US Navy in 2007, Mr. Lumpkin worked as Director of Business Development for ATI, a mid size defense firm.

2010

Mr. Lumpkin was appointed as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

2011

Until January 2011, Mr. Lumpkin was Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He assumed the position of Deputy Chief of Staff at Department of Veterans Affairs in January 2011. On April 25, 2011, Mr. Lumpkin was appointed as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict at Department of Defense.

Awards and decorations

References

External links