A Legacy of Military Service
Service runs in Eileen Laubacher's blood. The daughter of a 37-year Navy veteran and granddaughter of a World War II combat diver, she was determined to attend the U.S. Naval Academy even before women were regularly admitted. She joined the 11th class of women in 1986 and graduated in 1990 with a degree in political science, receiving her commission as a naval officer. This began a distinguished 34-year career in the U.S. Navy, where she moved from active duty to the Navy Reserve in 1998, eventually rising to the rank of two-star Rear Admiral. Her career path demonstrates a steady ascent through critical roles in both operational and intelligence fields.
From Intelligence Officer to Admiral
Laubacher’s early career was defined by key intelligence assignments. She served at the Defense
Intelligence Agency and the Joint Analysis Center in the United Kingdom. After transitioning to the Navy Reserve in 1998, she supported major commands, including U.S. Space Command and U.S. Strategic Command. A pivotal moment in her career came in 2009 when she was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. As a mother to five young children at the time, the year-long deployment was a significant personal and professional challenge. In Afghanistan, she took on the crucial role of coordinating with Afghan National Security Forces. Her leadership and expertise led to her promotion to Rear Admiral in 2018, a testament to her capabilities in complex geopolitical environments.
Navigating Global Hotspots
As an admiral, Laubacher was entrusted with high-level diplomatic and strategic missions. From 2019 to 2022, she served as the Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. In this position, she was the top American military representative in a country of immense strategic importance to the United States. Following that assignment, she was asked to join President Biden's National Security Council (NSC). From 2022 until her retirement in 2024, she served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia. This role placed her at the center of White House decision-making for a region that includes Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, requiring a deep understanding of its intricate political and security dynamics. Her decorated career includes numerous awards, such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.
Life Beyond the Uniform
While her professional life involved global travel and high-pressure assignments, Colorado has long been her home base. She and her husband, Chris, settled there after she left active duty, raising and homeschooling their five children in Highlands Ranch. In 2024, after more than three decades of service, Laubacher retired from the Navy. However, she has since embarked on a new chapter, entering the political arena. In 2026, she is running as the Democratic nominee for Colorado's 4th congressional district. Citing a duty to continue serving and defending the Constitution, her campaign marks a transition from shaping policy within the executive branch to seeking a role in the legislature.
