Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer appointed special assistant to Defense Secretary Hegseth

Get Task & Purpose in your inbox Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today to receive the latest military news each morning.

Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient who rejoined the Marine Corps last year after more than a decade as a civilian, has been appointed as a special assistant to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the Pentagon.

No details about Meyer’s specific responsibilities in his new role were immediately available.

Background

Meyer, a sergeant in the Marine Reserve, was awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing dozens of U.S. and allied troops during a 2009 ambush in Afghanistan. He left the Marines in 2010, reenlisted in the Marine Reserve in 2025, and completed the service’s rigorous Basic Reconnaissance Course in April.

Civilian Role

Meyer’s position in Hegseth’s office appears to be civilian. He is classified as a special government employee in his new role while remaining in the Marine Reserve, said Joel Valdez, the Pentagon’s acting press secretary.

On Monday, Meyer shared photos on social media showing him being sworn into the job by retired Army Sgt. Maj. Eric Geressy, senior advisor to Hegseth.

“Raising my right hand and taking the oath again was a reminder that service is a lifelong commitment,” Meyer wrote in a Monday social media post. “I don’t take that responsibility lightly, and I’m committed to serving our Service Members, their families, and the American people to the very best of my ability.”

Reenlisted with ‘More to Give’

In 2011, Meyer became the first living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Two years earlier, he rescued a total of 36 U.S. and Afghan troops and helped recover four fallen American service members after the Taliban ambushed his unit in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

Though he was out of the Marine Corps when he received the Medal, he reenlisted in the Marine Reserve last year.

“I realized I had more to give,” Meyer told reporters in April 2025. “I love this country with every moral fiber of my being. I always have. The same reason that I joined 20 years ago is the same reason I’m coming back in. I’ve just got more to give, and it’s just such an honor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women wearing the nation’s cloth today.”

After returning to the Marines as an infantry rifleman, Meyer earned the Reconnaissance Marine military occupational specialty in April when he completed the 12-week Basic Reconnaissance Course.

Gratitude and Recognition

Meyer wrote on social media that he is honored to serve under Hegseth, whom he described as a friend. He also thanked Geressy for the opportunity to take on his new job.

In a separate post, Geressy praised Meyer for “once again answering the call” to serve the country.

“For someone who has already given so much in service to our Nation, seeing Dakota once again raise his right hand and swear to continue serving the American people and our Service Members was both humbling and inspiring,” Geressy wrote.

Task & Purpose Video Each week on Tuesdays and Fridays, our team brings you analysis of military tech, tactics, and doctrine.