Quick Facts
Biography
Ricky L. Waddell is a Major General in the United States Army Reserve who is currently serving as the Deputy National Security Adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Early life
Waddell attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1982 with a degree of Bachelor of Science.
Military career
Army
He became an Engineer Officer with 15th Engineering Battalion, then the 9th Infantry Division as a Platoon Leader and Battalion Maintenance Officer. With Joint Task Force Bravo at Soto Cano (Palmerola) Air Base, Comayagua, Honduras, he served as the JTF Engineer. In the 35th Engineer Battalion, he served as the Commander C Company. He returned to the United States Military Academy as an Instructor in the Department of Social Sciences. He subsequently served as Director for European Security Affairs on the National Security Council.
South America
Waddel spent 17 years working in South America. His roles included:
- Managing Director for South America, BG Group (oil and gas)
- Chief Executive Officer, Anglo Ferrous Metals (AFM) - see Minas-Rio project, Brazil
During this period, he lived for 12 years in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
USA
Waddell ran the Keystone, Capstone, and Pinnacle programs as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense at the National Defense University, Washington, D.C..
US Army Reserve
Waddell has been an Active Reserve officer, filling the following roles:
- Special Assistant at the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army;
- Deputy Commander for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs, US Southern Command, Florida
- Energy Sector Strategic Analyst, US Central Command
- Special Advisor, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Tikrit, Iraq
- Joint Strategic Planner, Headquarters Multi-National Force – Iraq;
- Director of Oil, J9, United States Forces – Iraq
- J4 (operational support - wartime), US Forces Korea
- Director, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force – Shafafiyat ("transparency"), NATO International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan (following H.R. McMaster)
- Commander, 76th Operational Response Command, Salt Lake City, Utah (Major General; assumed command, 17 October 2015)
Deputy National Security Advisor
In early May 2017, Waddell was reportedly named as the White House’s Deputy National Security Adviser, following K.T. McFarland, to serve under Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, National Security Adviser. Waddell's appointment was blocked, initially, by White House Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus. The announcement was made official on May 19, 2017.
Decorations and awards
| U.S. military decorations | |
 | Defense Superior Service Medal |
  | Bronze Star with Oak leaf cluster |
 | Meritorious Service Medal with Oak leaf cluster |
 | Joint Service Commendation Medal with three Oak leaf cluster |
 | Army Commendation Medal with two Oak leaf cluster |
 | Joint Service Achievement Medal with Oak leaf cluster |
 | Army Achievement Medal with Oak leaf cluster |
| U.S. badges, patches and tabs | |
 | Combat Action Badge |
 | Air Assault Badge |
Education
Waddell has received the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering – United States Military Academy
- Master of Public Administration – Webster University
- Bachelor of Arts in History and Portuguese – Corpus Christi College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar
- Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations – Columbia University
Publications
Waddell has written four historical military books, dealing with his Latin America and Army experiences:
- Wars Then & Now
- In War's Shadow: Waging Peace in Central America
- The Army and Low Intensity Conflict
- In War's Shadow - At the Edge of the Cold War
Waddell has also published various journal articles, including:
- R.D. Hooker, Jr., and Ricky L. Waddell, The Future of Conventional Deterrence, Naval War College Review, Summer 1992