Jeffrey P. Luster, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy General Counsel for Installations, Energy and Environment, a position he has held since May 2018. The Division provides legal and policy advice for all matters related to the Air Force's 175 installations; 9 million acres of real estate; military housing and utilities privatization; installation and operational energy programs; annual military construction program; and programs for environmental planning, compliance, restoration, natural resources management, historic preservation and occupational safety.
Prior to his Air Force civilian career, Mr. Luster was a member of the Navy Office of the General Counsel where he served as the Assistant Deputy General Counsel for Energy, Installations and Environment. Mr. Luster was commissioned as a Naval officer in December 1985 while attending law school and served on active duty with the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps from May 1988 until his retirement in September 2012 with the rank of captain.
EDUCATION
1984 Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Political Science, University of New Mexico
1987 Juris Doctor degree, University of New Mexico School of Law
2000 Master of Laws, International Environmental Law, The George Washington University School of Law, Washington, D.C.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. December 1985–May 1988, Navy JAG Corps Student Accessions Program
2. May 1988–September 1988, Student, Naval Justice School, Newport, R.I.
3. September 1988–May 1991, Senior Defense Counsel, Naval Legal Service Office, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
4. May 1991–June 1994, Head, Procedure Division, Naval Justice School, Newport, R.I.
5. June 1994–July 1996, Staff Judge Advocate, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
6. July 1996–August 1998, Detailer and New Accessions Officer, Navy Office of the Judge Advocate General, Washington, D.C.
7. August 1998–July 1999, Student, The George Washington University School of Law, Washington, D.C.
8. August 1999–July 2001, Environmental Trial Counsel, Naval Litigation Office, Navy Office of the General Counsel, Washington Navy Yard, D.C.
9. July 200–January 2004, Senior Environmental Counsel, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
10. January 2004–May 2010, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for Environmental Law, Navy Office of the General Judge Advocate General, Washington, D.C.
11. January 2004–October 2008, (Additional Duty) Senior Counsel for Fleet and Operational Environmental Law, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment), Washington, D.C.
12. May 2010–September 2012, Ocean Policy Advisor, National Ocean Council, Executive Office of the President, Washington, D.C.
13. September 2012–June 2014, Counsel, Joint Guam Program Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment), Washington, D.C.
14. June 2014–May 2018, Navy Deputy Assistant General Counsel (Energy, Installations and Environment), Washington, D.C.
15. April 2028–May 2018, Navy Acting Assistant General Counsel (Energy, Installations and Environment), Navy Office of the General Counsel, Washington, D.C.
16. May 2018–present, Deputy General Counsel for Installations, Energy and Environment, Office of the Air Force General Counsel, Washington, D.C.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Meritorious Presidential Rank Award
Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Medal
Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Medal
Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal
Navy Legion of Merit (Third Award)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration General Counsel’s Award
Certificate of Commendation, U.S. Assistant Attorney General, Environment & Natural Resources Division
Richard W. Eddy Award for Outstanding Environmental Litigation Support, Naval Litigation Office
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
U.S. Supreme Court
State Bar of New Mexico
Phi Beta Kappa
(Current as of October 2025)