Dr. Jason Hamm is the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development and Emerging Capabilities (FDEC) and the Principal Director for Force Development and Emerging Capabilities (FDEC) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The FDEC team implements the National Defense Strategy by developing policy to guide the Department’s force development and resource prioritization.  FDEC manages national security policy relating to emerging capabilities such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and biotechnology.  FDEC is also the Department of Defense lead for all matters pertaining to the U.S.-United Kingdom-Australia defense partnership (AUKUS).

Jason previously served as the OSD Director for Ukraine & Eurasia, where he oversaw a team responsible for the provision of over $50 billion in security assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in support of their continued fight against Russia’s brutal aggression. For this work he was awarded the Competitive Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service, the Department’s highest civilian honor.

Jason’s earlier experience in OSD includes assignments as Director for Pakistan, Director for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Policy, and Country Director for Japan. In 2017 he served as a Brookings LEGIS Fellow.

Jason joined OSD as a Presidential Management Intern in 2002 after earning a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Arizona. He was granted dual undergraduate degrees in Physics and Astrophysics by the University of California at Berkeley in 1996.