Mr. Jules W. Hurst III (Jay) is Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In this role, he serves as principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Mr. Hurst brings to his roles experience in senior defense and national security roles on Capitol Hill, as a government civilian, as a government contractor, and as an Army Reserve officer. His perspectives give his team an understanding of the congressional authorization and appropriations process as well as an appreciation for the needs of the various types of employees who contribute to our national defense. In addition to his primary role, he also serves as the Official Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness. His full scope of responsibilities helps him ensure that the many dimensions of readiness are factored into decisions that enhance the overall experience of Service members, Department civilians, and their families.

Most recently, Mr. Hurst served as Legislative Director and Defense Advisor to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA-04), where he oversaw policy in his personal office and advised the Speaker on matters of defense policy. Before joining the Speaker’s Office, Mr. Hurst held roles as an Army officer and government civilian on the Army Staff, within the Joint Special Operations Command Intelligence Brigade, at the 75th Ranger Regiment, and within U.S. Central Command. As both a military officer and civilian, he deployed to Afghanistan four times as a senior intelligence officer for a Joint Special Operations Task Force. He also supported the initial stand-up of Project Maven, the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team. He continues to serve in the Army Reserve as an FA59 Army Strategist.

Mr. Hurst has earned an M.A. in Security Studies from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, an M.A. in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University, and a B.A. in Public Policy from the College of William and Mary. Mr. Hurst has published broadly on topics like great power competition, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and warfare in venues like War on the Rocks and Joint Force Quarterly. He lives with his wife Elizabeth and children Henry (7), Charlotte (5), Victoria (4), and Augustine (2).