Bert Mizusawa

Biography

Bert Mizusawa is a retired Major General of the United States Army, a former senior executive in the federal government, and a nationally respected leader in law, national security, and public service. His career spans more than four decades across military command, legislative oversight, executive leadership, and private legal practice, serving at the highest levels of government while remaining grounded in the responsibilities of leadership and service.

Throughout his career, Mizusawa has operated at the intersection of law, security, and governance. As a military officer, he commanded troops in combat and led complex joint and interagency operations overseas. As a civilian leader, he held senior roles in both the legislative and executive branches of government, helping shape national defense policy and overseeing some of the largest institutions in the federal system.

Mizusawa commanded a Combined Joint Interagency Task Force in Afghanistan, coordinating efforts across U.S. agencies, coalition partners, and international organizations to combat corruption, narcotics trafficking, terrorist financing, and illicit networks. He later served as a Senior Advisor to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, providing counsel on national security challenges at the highest level.

In civilian service, Mizusawa served as Deputy Under Secretary of the Army, a three-star equivalent Senior Executive position, where he helped oversee a global organization of more than one million uniformed and civilian personnel. Earlier in his career, he worked directly for the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, playing a key role in defense oversight and co-authoring landmark legislation that continues to shape U.S. defense strategy today.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mizusawa earned both a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. He is also a MacArthur Fellow in International Security. Following his government service, he founded and led successful private enterprises, including a federal contracting firm and a law practice focused on complex legal and regulatory matters.

Across military, government, and civilian life, Bert Mizusawa has built a record defined by service, accountability, and leadership under pressure, bringing deep experience, steady judgment, and a lifelong commitment to the public good.

Career Highlights

A lifetime of service and leadership in both military and civilian roles.

2014–2015 Commander, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force – Afghanistan

Led a deployed joint task force operating across multiple countries, coordinating U.S. agencies, coalition partners, and international organizations to combat corruption, narcotics trafficking, terrorist financing, and illicit networks during active combat operations.

2011–2016 Major General, United States Army

Served in senior command and strategic leadership roles, including Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives on the Joint Staff, advising on global military strategy and reserve force integration.

1998–2001 Deputy Under Secretary of the Army

Held a three-star equivalent Senior Executive position, helping manage one of the largest federal departments in the world and overseeing interagency and international affairs, including the successful transfer of the Panama Canal.

1995–1998 Professional Staff Member, Senate Armed Services Committee

Worked directly for the Committee Chairman, leading defense oversight and legislative initiatives. Co-authored the Quadrennial Defense Review legislation, a cornerstone of modern U.S. defense planning.