Major General Donald L. Kerrick became the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in January 1997.Prior to becoming Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, Kerrick served as the Director for Operations for the Defense Intelligence Agency. In 1994 and 1995, he served on the White House's National Security Council as Director of European Affairs, where he was responsible for developing and managing United States policy in Europe, including the former Yugoslavia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He also served by Presidential appointment, as the White House and National Security Council representative on the United States' Balkans Peacekeeping Delegation that concluded a peace accord ending the Balkan conflict.
Major General Kerrick has extensive foreign service with two tours in Germany in Berlin and Augsburg, two in the Republic of Korea both at Camp Humphreys, and one in Thailand at Ramasun Station, and in Saudi Arabia while assigned to Third Army, the Army component of United States Central Command.
Major General Kerrick's combat experience includes service in Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia (Desert Storm). he has commanded a military Intelligence Company, an Aviation Company, a Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation), and a Military Intelligence Brigade. Staff assignments include service with the U.S. Army Berlin, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, the Third Army, the Army Staff, the Joint Staff, and the National Security Council.
Major General Kerrick was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army upon graduation from Florida Southern College. He holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Southern California. Military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Military Intelligence Officer Advance Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.
Military awards and decorations which Major General Kerrick has received include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Staff Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Additionally, he is a Master Army Aviator and is authorized to wear the Army General Staff, Joint Staff Identification, and Presidential Service Badges. He also received the Defense Intelligence Agency Director's Award in 1997. His civilian awards include the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Citation for Distinguished Career Achievement from Florida Southern College, and Doctor of Diplomacy (HON) conferred by Florida Southern College.