Hon. Debra S. Wada

Ms. Wada was appointed as a Commissioner to the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service. The Commission was established by Congress to assess and recommend ways to increase the number of Americans who serve in the military, national and public sectors, and the future of the Selective Service System. She serves as the Vice Chair, Military Service on the Commission. Prior to the Commission, Debra was appointed by President Obama to the position of Assistant Secretary of Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the United States Army in 2014.  As the Assistant Secretary of the Army, she was responsible for all military and civilian personnel, training, and readiness policy. In addition, Debra oversaw programs that supported Army families and dependents, including health care programs and policies. Prior to her Presidential appointment, Debra spent over 25 years on Capitol Hill where she worked in both chambers of Congress. Ms. Wada has over a decade of experience on the House Armed Services Committee, where she had responsibility primarily for military personnel policy and programs. Debra has successfully handled a number of sensitive and complex personnel issues, including establishing religious accommodations for those serving in uniform, providing for transgender service, and the elimination of the don’t ask, don’t tell policy within the Department of Defense. Debra attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Ms. Wada has received numerous awards and decorations for her public service. ​