Lieutenant Colonel Dee D. Morris was born in Austin, Texas and began her military career following completion of her degree in Textile Chemistry. Throughout her 42 year career she has served in a variety of staff and leadership positions using her knowledge of chemical weapons to improve biological protection and detection systems.

Lieutenant Colonel Morris is also known for leading research teams to identify lessons learned during the first Gulf War regarding exposure conditions experienced and the DoDs handling of veteran’s subsequent illnesses. Through this work, Commanders were encouraged to listen and de-stigmatize their service members seeking necessary medical and psychological care. This culture shift resulted in the earlier identification of traumatic brain injury and its impact on readiness. As the Joint Requirements Office (JRO) Chief of Staff in charge of management of the day-to-day activities of a 60 person, Joint Staff Chairman’s Controlled Activity, her keen financial management allowed the JRO continued to lead the development of critical chemical and biological protection and detection systems and shepherd advanced capabilities through to procurement.

In addition, in 2012 Lieutenant Colonel Morris spearheaded the DoD Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Graduate Fellowship Program from idea to matriculation of the first cohort. She has also been a strong supporting agent in providing medically relevant information concerning chemical and biological agent offensive and defensive testing to support Department of Veteran’s Affairs claims. She currently serves as Chief of Staff, JRO for CBRN Defense, J8 Joint Staff.