Austin Dahmer

Austin Dahmer is an American official of the United States Department of Defense. As of 2025, he is performing the duties of Deputy Under Secretary of War for Policy^[2] and has addressed the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is considering his confirmation as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities on 4 November 2025.^[3]

Austin J. Dahmer
Official portrait, 2025
Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Incumbent
Assumed office March 17, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Amanda J. Dory (Acting)
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities
In office January 22, 2025 – March 17, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Madeline Mortelmans (Acting)
Succeeded by	Madeline Mortelmans (Acting)
Personal details
Education	United States Naval Academy
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps[1]
Years of service	2014-2019
Rank	Captain

Education

Dahmer graduated the US Naval Academy with merit in 2014, with a bachelor's degree majoring in political science and economics.