Mr. Terry J. Pudas
Senior Research Fellow

Terry Pudas is a Senior Research Fellow. His work is primarily focused on transformation and related national security issues. Prior to joining the Center, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (acting), Forces Transformation and Resources in the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. In September of 2001 he was appointed as the Deputy Director of the newly created Secretary of Defense Force Transformation Office. He served as the Acting Director from January 2005 to October 2006. His primary role was to serve as advocate, focal point, and catalyst for the Department of Defense transformation efforts.

He has conducted more than 100 presentations to a wide variety of audiences including senior U.S. and foreign government officials, Members of Congress, Ministers of Defense, Chiefs of Defense and Parliamentary Delegations on transformation. He has authored numerous articles has been routinely interviewed on the subject of defense transformation.
Terry Pudas retired from the Navy in September, 2001 with over 32 years of service after serving as the Deputy and Executive Assistant to the President of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He was designated a naval aviator in May 1971, served in numerous fighter squadrons. He commanded at both the squadron and wing level and served as Air Officer on board USS MIDWAY (CV-41) deployed to the Persian Gulf and conducted operations in support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

He is a 1969 graduate of the University of Washington. In addition to his Bachelor of Science degree he holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a Master of Arts degree in Management from Webster University. He also holds a diploma with honors in German language studies from the Defense Language Institute.