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Ms. Virginia Penrod

Performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense | Manpower & Reserve Affairs

Ms. Virginia (Vee) Penrod, assumed her current role February 12, 2018. She is principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness on all matters relating to civilian and military personnel policies, reserve integration, military community and family policy, and Total Force manpower and resources. She also oversees the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Defense Commissary Agency.

A member of the Senior Executive Service since 2006, Ms. Penrod previously served as the Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSD P&R). For four years, Ms. Penrod, enabled the work of the OUSD P&R through continuous improvement of processes and procedures, increasing efficiency and growing P&R’s collective success.

Prior to her assignment as the Chief of Staff, Ms. Penrod served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy where she was responsible for recruiting, retention, compensation, travel and the related human resource management for the 1.4 million Active Duty military members of the U.S. Armed Services.

A graduate of Chapman University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Ms. Penrod holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University. Ms. Penrod's career includes 35 years of service in the Air Force in the field of manpower management at Air Force Logistics Command, executive-level management at the 601st Tactical Control Wing in Germany, and military personnel management, including Command at base level; personnel policy at Headquarters Air Force and the Air Force Personnel Center.

Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award.