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Continuing the Call to Serve: More than 2,300 Veterans Strengthen DEA’s Mission
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After serving their country in uniform, 2,309 military veterans continue their commitment to public service at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, bringing leadership, experience, and dedication to a mission that protects communities and saves lives.
This Veterans Day, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment of the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces.
At DEA, we are especially proud of the 2,309 veterans who continue their service to our nation as members of our workforce. Their leadership, experience, and dedication strengthen our mission and our agency every day.
To every veteran and military family, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Our nation is stronger because of you.
Veterans comprise nearly one-third of DEA’s workforce, serving in roles across investigations, intelligence operations, administration, and leadership. The skills they developed during military service – solving problems under pressure, adapting to changing threats, and working together toward a shared mission – give DEA an edge when it comes to confronting narco-traffickers threatening the United States. Whether supporting investigations, leading strategic initiatives, mentoring colleagues, or strengthening communities, veterans continue to embody the values of duty, integrity, and sacrifice that defined their military careers.
On Friday, November 6, 2026, DEA representatives participated in a public wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the service and sacrifice of America’s military members. Among them was retired U.S. Army Col. Oliver Saunders, DEA’s Chief of Strategic Planning. “DEA has always had a special connection with its employees who are veterans and with those who continue to serve as members of the Reserve or National Guard,” said Colonel (retired) Oliver Saunders. “For me, being a DEA employee and military veteran with over 28 years of service in the Army is a unique and special privilege, as it allows me to continue to serve my community and the nation in a way that helps save lives.”
DEA's partnership with military personnel has been a defining part of the agency's history. In the 1980s and 90s, operations such as Blast Furnace, Cadence, and Snowcap placed DEA personnel alongside military forces in Central and South America to target cocaine production at its source. These efforts expanded DEA's overseas capabilities and demonstrated the value veterans bring to complex operational environments.
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, DEA again worked alongside military partners through initiatives such as the Kabul Country Office and the Foreign-Deployed Advisory and Support Team (FAST). Operating in some of the world's most challenging environments, DEA personnel helped disrupt drug trafficking networks tied to insurgency, terrorism, and regional instability while advancing broader U.S. national security objectives.
DEA’s commitment to veterans includes helping service members find opportunities to put their experience to work. Through recruitment, professional development, and veteran-focused initiatives, the agency recognizes the value veterans bring and supports their continued service. This commitment also includes participation in Operation Warfighter (OWF), a program that provides wounded, ill, and injured service members temporary internship opportunities during their recovery at military treatment facilities across the United States. These experiences help participants build skills and explore career interests as they prepare to return to military service or transition into the civilian workforce. OWF remains active today. Interested candidates can learn more on the Operation Warfighter website.
Military service often becomes a lifelong commitment to protecting others. Veterans across DEA continue to lead, mentor, investigate, and serve, bringing the same sense of duty that defined their time in uniform.
This Veterans Day, DEA proudly recognizes the 2,309 veterans who continue answering the call to serve and thanks them for their enduring contributions to our nation and the American people.
