Carolee Van Horn assumed the duties of director of the Office of Resources and Oversight for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness through Military Community and Family Policy in 2009. As director, Ms. Van Horn is responsible for managing the defense-wide family support budget, securing additional funding through the Integrated Program and Budget process and directing multiple family-program contracts such as Military OneSource.

Ms. Van Horn is also responsible for managing the legislative process to include developing new legislative issues, overseeing research for all Military Community and Family Policy quality-of-life programs and overseeing personnel and performance management across Military Community and Family Policy. Additionally, she serves as a strategic advisor to the assistant secretary of defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for a $5 billion budget that supports service members and their families.

Prior to joining the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, Ms. Van Horn held positions within the Navy at the installation, headquarters and resource sponsor levels. During her 13 years with the Navy, Ms. Van Horn was instrumental in significantly increasing resources for Child Development, Youth, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.

In 2001, Ms. Van Horn was recognized for her leadership and was awarded the Exceptional Civilian Service Award.

Ms. Van Horn is a 1983 graduate from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in leisure studies and services. In 2005, she was awarded the Master of Arts in counseling at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey.

The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy is directly responsible for programs and policies, which establish and support community quality-of-life programs for service members and their families worldwide. This office also serves as the focal point for coordination for a broad range of quality-of-life issues within the Department of Defense.