Derrick Anderson
Derrick M. Anderson | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2026 | |
| Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict | |
| Assumed office December 29, 2025[1] | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Christopher Maier Colby Jenkins (acting) |
| Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) | |
| In office April 9, 2025 – December 29, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Agnes Gereben Schaefer |
| Succeeded by | Christopher M. Sims (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Derrick M. Anderson August 4, 1984 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Virginia Tech (BA) Georgetown University Law Center (J.D) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 2006–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | United States Army Special Forces |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Army Commendation Medal (5) NATO Medal |
Derrick M. Anderson (born August 4, 1984) is an American politician, lawyer, and military officer. He serves as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict since his confirmation on December 18, 2025.[2] He is previously the Republican Party nominee for Virginia's 7th congressional district in 2024 election.[3]
Anderson is a Former Army Green Beret and is currently served as a Lieutenant Colonel in United States Army. He previously served as a Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) from April 9, 2025 to December 18, 2025.
Early life and education
[edit]Anderson was born in Wheeling, West Virginia and raised in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a BA in political science. He also received a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.
Military service
[edit]In 2006, Anderson commissioned as a second lieutenant in United States Army into the infantry. Anderson later graduated from Ranger School. He became a platoon leader in the 3rd Infantry Division in their deployment in Iraq. Anderson was selected to join United States Army Special Forces, completing the Special Forces Qualification Course and subsequently became an A-Team commander. In this capacity, he served in several countries in the Middle East, including a combat tour in Afghanistan. He was also the ground commander when the 2014 Gaza Valley airstrike occurred and five American soldiers were killed in a friendly fire incident.[4]
USAF General Jeffrey L. Harrigian blamed Anderson for the incident, however, Anderson was later cleared and faced no military action related the incident.[5]
Personal life
[edit]In 2025, Anderson married fellow Army officer Major Margaret Romanin.
References
[edit]- ↑ "Derrick Anderson steps into SO/LIC role amid high demand for special operations forces, new tech".
- ↑ Harper, Jon (December 19, 2025). "American special operations forces get new civilian overseer". DefenseScoop. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ Press, 7News Staff and Associated (June 19, 2024). "Derrick Anderson projected winner of Virginia District 7 GOP primary: AP". WJLA. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Derrick Anderson (L'19): Service and Sacrifice". Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ↑ Whitaker, Bill (November 12, 2017). "Why were 5 U.S. soldiers killed by an American bomber in Afghanistan? - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved May 23, 2025.