Garrison Commander

Col. Margaret “Dervan” Hughes graduated from James Madison University and commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer in 2004. She began her Army career with the 506th Regimental Combat Team,101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, serving as a Signals Intelligence Platoon Leader, Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion S-2. In 2005, she deployed to East Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following the Military Intelligence Captains Career Course, Hughes deployed to Diyala Province, Iraq, with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, where she served as the Analysis & Control Element (ACE) Chief and commander of the 184th Military Intelligence Company. She later served as a watch officer and intelligence planner at the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center (Korea Division).

Hughes subsequently completed a three-year overseas tour in the Republic of Korea, serving as the Sexual Harassment/ Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) Program Manager for the 2nd Infantry Division, executive officer for the 719th Military Intelligence Battalion, and Brigade S-3 for the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater). She later served as a strategic planner for the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General in the National Capital Region, commanded the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland, and most recently served as the ACE Chief for the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Hughes holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from James Madison University, a Master of Military Arts and Science from the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Diplomatic History from Georgetown University, where her research focused on the early Cold War and the development of the U.S. intelligence community. She is a graduate of the Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Captains Career Courses, the Command & General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and is a fellow in the U.S. Army’s Advanced Strategic Planning & Policy Program (ASP3).

Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC). She also holds the Army Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Col. Hughes is married and together they have two amazing daughters.