Mike Lumpkin Named to Special Ops Post in Pentagon; Ran for Congress

Michael Lumpkin, the former Navy SEAL commander who made an East County bid for Congress in 2008, has been named to one of the top civilian posts in the Pentagon.

Lumpkin, 46, was sworn in April 25—six days before the killing of Osama bin Laden by a special operations team—as principal deputy assistant secretary for special operations/low intensity conflict and interdependent capabilities.

He’ll serve under Michael Vickers, an assistant defense secretary under Defense Secretary Robert Gates but eventually Leon Panetta.

According to a Department of Defense biography:

Mr. Lumpkin assists the [assistant secretary of defense for special operations] in the development of policy regarding the capabilities and operational employment of special operations forces, strategic forces and conventional forces.  He also assists the [assistant secretary] on counterterrorism strategy, counternarcotics, force transformation initiatives and special activities.

Before his new assignment, Lumpkin worked in the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington—first as senior adviser to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and more recently as deputy chief of staff.

Lumpkin, a Democrat who had a campaign headquarters in Santee, lost to Republican Duncan D. Hunter in the 52nd Congressional District race of November 2008, gaining 39 percent of the vote in the heavily Republican East County district to the 56 percent for Hunter, son of longtime incumbent Duncan L. Hunter.

Joe Kasper, a spokesman for Hunter, issued this statement Wednesday afternoon from Washington:

Mike Lumpkin is someone whose military background makes him a good pick for any position within the Pentagon, especially on overseas special operations.  Congressman Hunter and Mr. Lumpkin shared a strong mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s military service. And that experience on Mr. Lumpkin’s part will definitely translate into something very useful for the proficiency of special operations.

After the election, Lumpkin worked at ATI, a midsize defense firm.

In 2004, Lumpkin served as deputy commander of special operations in Iraq. His final posting after 21 years in the Navy was at the United States Special Operations Command Office of Legislative Affairs in Washington, where he was liaison to Congress on policy and appropriation issues involving Special Operations Forces.

Lumpkin served eight operational tours as a Navy SEAL throughout the world.

“He received more than 40 commendations and awards during his career,” his 2008 campaign said. “He has served as the officer in charge of all West Coast SEAL teams, managing more than 2,000 military and civilian personnel with budgets amounting to more than $300 million.”

Born and raised in Vista, Lumpkin holds a master’s degree in national security affairs and is recognized by the Department of Defense as a specialist in both the Western Hemisphere and Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict.

“After graduating from Vista High School, Mike worked to put himself through college at University of California, San Diego,” his campaign said in 2008. “After college, Mike attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy.”

Lumpkin suceeds Robert Martinage in the defense post.