WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former Navy SEAL Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) announced his appointment to the House Armed Services Committee for the 119th Congress. Following his appointment, Congressman Van Orden stated:
“I am honored to be appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. As the longest serving enlisted military member to be elected to Congress, I have firsthand experience with the challenges faced by our servicemembers, what it takes to navigate modern threats, and how to prepare and equip our troops for future conflicts.
“Under the Biden administration, the Department of Defense has gone so far off mission, putting our servicemembers, the United States, and our allies at grave risk. Immediate course correction is necessary if we are going to deter China, Russia, and Iran, and protect freedom around the world. We must get our military back to a place of prioritizing lethality, recruitment and retention, and securing peace through strength. I am ready to work with my committee colleagues, Chairman Rogers, and our incoming Commander-in-Chief, President Trump, to restore our military and re-establish the United States as the leading global power.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Rep. Van Orden to the House Armed Services Committee,” Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said. “As a Navy SEAL, Rep. Van Orden bravely served our nation. In Congress, Rep. Van Orden has been a vocal supporter for improving servicemember quality of life. I look forward to working with him to support our servicemembers and strengthen our military.”
Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Van Orden spent 26 years in the United States military, retiring as a Navy SEAL Senior Chief in 2014. He is a recognized expert in Unconventional Warfare, Advanced Special Operations, Special Reconnaissance and Land Warfare in the Special Operation Forces community.
