Over the past twenty years, the United States has been involved in a range of conflicts, placing significant demands on the individuals who are deployed, often multiple times. These individuals have borne the brunt of civilian decisions regarding when, how and where to use force, as well as what the goals of these conflicts should be. The challenges of war are not often well communicated to civilian policymakers. This series seeks to engage with military personnel and gain a broader perspective of the challenges they face.
Derek Loughrey served 10 years in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He trained in field medicine and deployed as a platoon medic to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2013 with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and to Okinawa, Japan in 2018 with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. He also instructed Marines and Sailors in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) throughout his career. Derek left the Navy in 2021 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in information science at the University of Maryland College Park. He graduated in 2024 and is now a Master of Public Policy Candidate at UMD School of Public Policy. Derek has a wonderful wife named Tori and an awesome banana loving son named Killi.
This event is generously supported by the Institute for Public Leadership.