Mr. Colby Jenkins serves as the Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. In this role, he assists the Secretary and the Under Secretary of War for Policy in the development and supervision of policy, program planning and execution, and allocation and use of resources for irregular warfare, combating terrorism, and special operations activities.

Mr. Jenkins was previously appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism and Performed the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict.

Mr. Jenkins’ military experience includes service within the special operations and airborne infantry communities in the Active Duty Army, National Guard, and Reserve components. After earning his Green Beret, Mr. Jenkins was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, leading his Special Forces A-team on multiple global deployments, including combat in Afghanistan and later various training, counter-drug, and hostage rescue operations throughout South America, including the jungles of Colombia. Mr. Jenkins also served as a Congressional fellow, Green Beret liaison to Congress, as a counterterrorism policy advisor to the then-Secretary of Defense, and as senior civilian legislative strategic advisor to the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mr. Jenkins holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a master’s degree in legislative affairs from the George Washington University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. Mr. Jenkins also worked as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, as a Global Program Manager for Google, and as a leader in other innovation and entrepreneurial entities in both Silicon Valley and southern Utah.