WASHINGTON — Claude M. (Mick) Kicklighter, a retired Army officer, was sworn in today as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy and Planning at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“He has commanded troops at every level from company through division while on active duty. His civilian service included a stint as Deputy Under Secretary of the Army for International Affairs. His understanding of veterans will be instrumental in developing policy, strategic planning and evaluating programs for the entire department,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.
Kicklighter will lead a staff of 65. He will be responsible for reviewing policy and programs to assess whether they meet the intent of lawmakers and the needs of veterans and their families.
He joined VA on April 7, 2000 as VA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Activities. Later, he was designated to lead the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs.
During his 36 years of military service, Kicklighter commanded the 25th Infantry Division (Light) in Hawaii, held staff assignments from the battalion level to the Department of the Army, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He commanded the U.S. Army Pacific from July 1989 to July 1991. He retired in September 1991 as a Lieutenant General.
In July 1991, he became the director of the Nation’s efforts to thank and honor World War II veterans at the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of World War II.
Kicklighter was born and raised in Glennville, Georgia. He received his bachelor’s degree from Mercer University and earned a master’s degree from George Washington University.
He graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He currently serves as chair of the board for Habitat for Humanity, International. His wife is the former Elizabeth Exley and they have three children, Dr. Elizabeth J. Palmer; Claude M. Kicklighter, Jr.; and Richard V. Kicklighter.
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