U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowGovernment Website**Official websites use .gov**
              
                              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Safely connect using HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
              A **lock**
                (A locked padlock)
                or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.  
 Menu

      close
        
                            Enter Search Term
                Search
      Topics
      
                
  
          Topics


      
        Topics
    
    
              Border Security
      
    
              Citizenship and Immigration
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Disasters
      
    
              Election Security
      
    
              Homeland Security Enterprise
      
    
              Human Trafficking
      
    
              Immigration and Customs Enforcement
      
    
              Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
      
    
              Resilience
      
    
              Science and Technology
      
    
              Trade and Economic Security
      
    
              Transportation Security
      
    
              News
      
                
  
          News


      
        News
    
    
              All DHS News
      
    
              Apps
      
    
              Blog
      
    
              Comunicados de Prensa
      
    
              Data
      
    
              Events
      
    
              Fact Sheets
      
    
              Featured News
      
    
              Homeland Security LIVE
      
    
              Media Contacts
      
    
              Media Library
      
    
              National Terrorism Advisory System
      
    
              Press Releases
      
    
              Publications Library
      
    
              Social Media
      
    
              Speeches
      
    
              Subscribe
      
    
              Testimony
      
    
              In Focus
      
                
  
          In Focus


      
        In Focus
    
    
              Addressing Climate Change
      
    
              Artificial Intelligence at DHS
      
    
              Cybersecurity
      
    
              Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
      
    
              Honoring Veterans
      
    
              Migration and Borders
      
    
              Operation Allies Welcome
      
    
              Recognizing DHS Excellence
      
    
              Uniting for Ukraine
      
    
              How Do I?
      
                
  
          How Do I?


      
        How Do I?
    
    
              Alphabetical Listing
      
    
              At DHS
      
    
              For Businesses
      
    
              For Travelers
      
    
              For the Public
      
    
              Get Involved
      
                
  
          Get Involved


      
        Get Involved
    
    
              #BeCyberSmart
      
    
              Blue Campaign
      
    
              Citizen Corps
      
    
              If You See Something, Say Something®
      
    
              Know2Protect
      
    
              Nationwide SAR Initiative
      
    
              REAL ID
      
    
              Ready.gov
      
    
              Stop the Bleed
      
    
              US Coast Guard Auxiliary
      
    
              About DHS
      
                
  
          About DHS


      
        About DHS
    
    
              Budget & Performance
      
    
              Contact Us
      
    
              Employee Resources
      
    
              History
      
    
              Homeland Security Careers
      
    
              In Memoriam
      
    
              Laws & Regulations
      
    
              Leadership
      
    
              Mission
      
    
              Organization
      
    
              Priorities
      
    
              Site Links Breadcrumb
Home
  Leadership
  Joseph D. Wawro

     About DHS
                
      Budget & Performance
                
                    
      
      Contact Us
                
                    
      
      Employee Resources
                
                    
      
      History
                
                    
      
      Homeland Security Careers
                
                    
      
      In Memoriam
                
                    
      
      Laws & Regulations
                
                    
      
      Leadership
                
                    
      
      Mission
                
                    
      
      Organization
                
                    
      
      Priorities
                
                    
      
      Site LinksJoseph D. Wawro
Executive Director

            Joseph Wawro joined the Department of Homeland Security in 2019 as the Director of the Joint Requirements Council, Office of the Secretary. Joe is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He initially attended Wentworth Military Academy where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army in the branch of Armor. During his 30 year Army career, he served in Germany, Bosnia, and Korea. He has combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Joe has held several command and staff positions. Joe’s key leadership positions were Platoon Leader (Germany), Troop Commander (Germany and Bosnia), Squadron Commander (Korea), and Brigade Commander (Fort Riley, KS and Afghanistan). His key staff assignments include Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer (Fort Carson, CO), Regimental Executive Officer (Fort Polk, LA and Iraq), Division Operations Officer (Korea), Division (National Training Center, CA) and Corps Chief of Staff (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA), Chief of the Initiatives Group for the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (Pentagon), and Director for Defense, Policy, and Strategy (National Security Council, the White House).

His academic education includes the following:

Fellow for Chief of Staff of the Army at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 2013
	Senior Leader Seminar for GOs/SESs, 2013
	M.A. National Security and Strategy, Naval War College, 2008
	M.A. Business Administration, Embry-Riddle University, 1998
	B.A. History, University of Illinois, 1988Joe’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards); Bronze Star Medal (three awards); Meritorious Service Medal (four awards); Army Commendation Medal with “Valor” device; Army Commendation Medal (five awards); and the Army Achievement Medal (ten awards). He earned the Combat Action Badge and the Airborne Badge; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for Afghanistan; Iraq Campaign Medal; and Korean Defense Service Medal.

    Last Updated: 11/15/2021
  
Was this page helpful?
  Yes
NoThis page was not helpful because the content
  has too little information
has too much information
is confusing
is out-of-date Return to top

           Topics
      
    
                  News
      
    
                  In Focus
      
    
                  How Do I?
      
    
                  Get Involved
      
    
                  About DHS
                            
        U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal
      
    DHS.gov
                  An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityAbout DHS
                              Accessibility
                              Budget and Performance
                              DHS Components
                              FOIA Requests
                              No FEAR Act Data
                              Privacy Policy
                              Site Links
                              Office of Inspector General
                              The White House
                              USA.gov

                        Looking for U.S. government information and services?
                Visit USA.gov