Major General David G. Perkins received both a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

He was commissioned in the United States Army as a second lieutenant of Armor in 1980. Throughout his career, he commanded at the company, battalion, task force, brigade, and theater level in Germany, Macedonia, Iraq, and the United States.

In June 2008, MG Perkins became the Director for Strategic Effects, CJ-9, Multi-National Force-Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq. In this capacity, he coordinated and implemented political, economic, and communications activities on behalf of the MNF-I. MG Perkins also served as the spokesman for MNF-I.

MG Perkin’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters); the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.