Dr. Richard Tilley serves as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. In this role, he supports the Assistant Secretary in his overall supervision of special operations and low intensity conflict activities of the Department. He assists 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. Additionally, he is responsible for integrating the functional activities of the headquarters of the Department to most efficiently and effectively provide for required special operations forces and capabilities.   

Previously, Dr. Tilley served as the Director of the Asymmetric Competition & Engagement Division and the Office of Irregular Warfare & Competition within the Joint Force Development Directorate (J-7) of the Joint Staff. Dr. Tilley also served as a special advisor and strategist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and as a national security advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dr. Tilley’s military experience includes service within the special operations and airborne infantry communities across multiple overseas and combat deployments. Dr. Tilley was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group as a Green Beret and served as an infantry officer within the 82nd Airborne Division.

Dr. Tilley earned his doctoral degree in international affairs from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies where his research focused on optimizing American military performance in irregular war. He holds a master’s degree in international relations from St. Mary’s University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Wake Forest University. Dr. Tilley is also an adjunct professor at the National Defense University.