Jane Horton

Jane Horton is a nationally recognized defense policy advisor, Gold Star family advocate, and senior strategic consultant with more than a decade of experience advising senior Department of Defense leaders, Members of Congress, and national security officials on military family policy, casualty reform, and warfighter readiness. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War, providing strategic guidance on issues impacting Gold Star families and military survivors, and
serves as Vice Co-Chair of the Gold Star Advisory Council, advancing systemic reforms and long-
term support for families of the fallen.
Ms. Horton has authored, advocated for, and helped pass numerous pieces of legislation and Department of Defense policies designed to improve the care, benefits, and long-term support provided to military families following the loss of a servicemember.
Previously, Ms. Horton served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives, working closely with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on defense policy, military quality-of-life initiatives, and warfighter readiness issues. Her work contributed to key National Defense Authorization Act provisions, including initiatives focused on brain health, casualty
assistance reform, and comprehensive quality-of-life improvements for servicemembers and their families.
Within the Department of Defense, Ms. Horton has held multiple senior advisory roles, including Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness, and Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs. She is the author and principal advocate behind the SPC Christopher Horton and SFC Shane Cooley Gold Star Family Fellowship Act, signed into law in 2019, establishing paid congressional fellowships for families of fallen servicemembers.
Her awards include the Superior Service Medal awarded by the Secretary of the Army and the Commander’s Award for Public Service from the Chief of Staff of the Army. Ms. Horton holds a
Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Rogers State University and continues to focus her work on strengthening the all-volunteer force and ensuring the nation honors its enduring
commitment to military families and survivors.