Appointment of Eric D. Chewning as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense

Eric D. Chewning has accepted the position of chief of staff to the secretary of defense.

Mr. Chewning brings an array of military and industry experience to the role. Since October 2017, Mr. Chewning served the administration as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy.

Mr. Chewning’s initial service to our nation occurred when he left his position as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley & Co. to enlist in the U.S. Army following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

He later attended officer candidate school and was commissioned as an Army intelligence officer where his military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the U.S Army Combat Action Badge.

After his active duty service, Mr. Chewning began a decade of work in the private sector. Immediately prior to joining DoD, he was a partner at McKinsey & Co.

As DASD for industrial policy, Mr. Chewning was a trusted advisor to the department’s senior leadership while working across the interagency on a range of issues.

Mr. Chewning looks forward to continuing his service in his new capacity alongside the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians of the Department of Defense.