As the deputy commander of the Chicago District, Lt. Col. Daniel A. Hayden assists the district commander in water resources development in the Chicago metropolitan area, an area of about 5,000 square miles with a population of more than nine million. The district’s primary mission focuses on flood risk management and storm damage reduction, navigation, environment, regulatory, navigation, emergency management, and interagency and international services.
Prior to arriving to the Chicago District, Lt. Col. Hayden was the Chief of Accessions Division in the Department of Military Instruction at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.
Lt. Col. Hayden is a U.S. Army Engineer officer who has served in a variety of command and staff positions from platoon leader to battalion executive officer. He completed five combat deployments throughout his career having served twice in Iraq and three times in Afghanistan with duties ranging from facilities engineer to battalion operations officer.
Originally from Fall River, Massachusetts, he received his commission through the ROTC program at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a degree in Political Science. He holds a Master of Science degree in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Missouri at Rolla and a Master of Military Art and Science in Military History degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
His awards and decorations include three Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Badge, and the Sapper Tab.
Lt. Col. Hayden is married and he and his wife are parents to four children.