Overview
Stephen Feinberg serves as Deputy Secretary of Defense (DepSecDef) and Chair of the Special Access Program Oversight Committee (SAPOC), placing him at a critical oversight node for neurocognitive warfare programs.
Background and Position
Feinberg was confirmed as DepSecDef in March 2025 [1]. As Chair of SAPOC, he oversees Special Access Programs — the compartmentalized military programs that serve as testing grounds for neurotechnology on civilian populations. His position gives him direct authority over programs developing cognitive warfare capabilities.
Conflict of Interest Concerns
Feinberg is the former CEO of Cerberus Capital Management, which owned DynCorp — a major defense contractor with significant involvement in cognitive warfare and nonlethal weapons development [1]. This creates potential conflicts of interest between his oversight role and his historical ties to private defense contractors developing neurotechnologies.
Strategic Significance
As SAPOC Chair, Feinberg represents one of the few points of centralized accountability for Special Access Programs. His position could be leveraged for advocacy efforts seeking greater transparency or reform in how neurotechnology programs are overseen and reviewed by oversight bodies.