
James Rodriguez
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Office of Warrior Care Policy
Office of Warrior Care Policy
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
I am responsible for policy oversight at the Department of Defense's Wounded Warrior programs.
Every day I work with injured service members to figure out how our Wounded Warriors programs can best support them. This entails me working with my program managers and partner organizations to help us find the training, employment opportunities, or health services necessary for these wounded vets. I also assist in writing policies that ensure that our commanders and military leaders are abiding by congressional mandates when they report on the progress and execution of our programs.
Here's the first step for college students
There is a minimum level of education that you need to complete before you can enter into a senior government role, so obviously going to college is a very important first step. You also need to have certain levels of professional development within the industry that you're trying to excel in. You have to be able to identify the opportunities open to you, and then prove yourself within those roles.
"How typical of you to fail a class. You'll never be successful."