LTC Jessica Caddell, Ph.D.

LTC Jessica Caddell is the director of the Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) program and an assistant professor in the Department of Military Instruction at the United States Military Academy (USMA). She is a 2008 USMA graduate and completed her Ph.D. in international affairs at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, in 2023. 

LTC Caddell previously served in the DSS program from 2017-20. During that time, she also served as the DSS deputy director, the Modern War Institute operations officer, and course director for several DSS courses. She's taught courses in comparative defense policy, international relations, international security, and research methods. 

An intelligence officer by background, LTC Caddell has completed tours in Germany, Afghanistan, and Iraq. She served as the senior intelligence officer (Group S2) for 10th SFG (A) in Fort Carson, Colorado, from 2020-22. During this time, she also supported Operations Atlantic Resolve as the J2 for Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. She commanded the Intelligence and Sustainment Company in the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) from 2014-15, during which time parts of her company deployed to support the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa. 

Before that, she was the senior intelligence officer (BN S2) for the 2-506 IN BN, 4th BCT, 101st Airborne (AASLT) and supported Operation Enduring Freedom. LTC Caddell's research interests include technology and strategy, information warfare, and Russian strategy. She completed a Master in Law and Diplomacy at The Fletcher School, Tufts University in 2017. 

She and her husband, JD, have two daughters, Lily and Sage.