Jon Lellenberg

Jon Lellenberg "has been in Washington, D.C. since 1971 after completing undergraduate and graduate school at the University of Southern California's School of International Relations. He joined the Pentagon staff in 1975 and has held various positions in the Office of the Secretary of Defense including the Office of Net Assessment, European and NATO Policy, Policy Planning, Foreign Civil/Military Affairs, National War College and International Security Affairs.

"Jon has been in the Special Operations bureau for four years and is currently serving as the deputy director for strategy and acting director for the Strategy, Concepts and Initiatives branch.

"'Since 9-11, al Qaeda and Iraq, our offices have moved into a more important role,' he said. 'Our work is top secret; we review plans and design different programs involving the various special operations forces and combating terrorism.' He continued, 'It is a very stressful job - I can't deny it. But I like my work, and I've had the opportunity to be a part of history.'"