Michael Dodd (Defense)
Michael Dodd | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies | |
| Assumed office September 24, 2025 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Personal details | |
| Education | Catholic University of America |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Michael "Mike" Dodd is an American public servant who currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies.[1]
Early life and education
Dodd is originally from Indiana and attended the Catholic University of America.[2]
Career
Dodd served for more than a decade in the Marine Corps.[3] He has written extensively about defense, technologies, and investment strategies.[4]
Dodd served in industry advising investment firms including 8VC and NSTXL.[5]
In March 2025, Dodd was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies (ASW(CT)) in the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)).[6] In his confirmation hearing, Dodd stressed the importance of adequate funding for basic research programs within the Department of War.[7] His nomination was confirmed by the Senate in September 2025.[8] In August 2025, Dodd was also named deputy director of the Defense Innovation Unit.[9]
References
- ↑ Reeves, Tabitha (March 26, 2026). "JUST IN: Pentagon Must Strengthen Demand Signal, Mobilize Investors, Report Says".
- ↑ "Michael Dodd". www.principalpost.com. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ↑ "IU to bolster Department of Defense partnership through National Security Innovation Network". news.iu.edu. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Dodd". Michael Dodd. July 3, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Dodd on Tumblr".
- ↑ Harper, Jon (March 25, 2025). "Trump taps 'The DoddFather' to oversee critical technologies at the Pentagon". DefenseScoop. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Senate Armed Services Committee Advance Policy Questions for Michael Dodd Nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies" (PDF). May 2025.
- ↑ "PN55-16 - Nomination of Michael Dodd for Department of Defense, 119th Congress (2025-2026)". www.congress.gov. September 18, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ↑ Albon, Courtney (August 26, 2025). "Pentagon CTO to oversee Defense Innovation Unit following Beck's exit". Defense News. Retrieved May 14, 2026.