Peter F. Verga, Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense PDASD (HD )
Since January 2002 Peter Varga has been the DOD Special Assistant for Homeland Defense where he directs the DOD Homeland Security Task Force. Varga is a retired US Army officer with over 26 years of service. He has served in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Policy Support), Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Policy Integration), Deputy Director for Emergency Planning in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Director of the Office of Emergency Operations of the White House Military Office, White House Staff Special Assistant to the Assistant to the President for Management and Administration.
He has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, 21 Air Metals, the Presidential Service Badge, among others.
He holds a BS in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a MS in Public Administration from Troy State University . He is also a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College.