Dirk Padgett

He was hired as the Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for Bedford County in late 1995. He was recalled to serve a hitch of active duty in Iraq on October 14, 2004.

On January 5, 2005 the Roanoke Times published an op-ed by Padgett, entitled "Beware uninformed blathering about Iraq from the safety of home". Padgett, then a Lieutenant Commander serving in Iraq, was critical of civilians at home who criticized the conduct of the war, without ever experiencing military service.

Carol Rosenberg, writing in the Lakeland Ledger, on July 15, 2009, described the Military Commission's new electronic audio management system malfunctioning when Commander Padgett tried to make his opening remarks. According to Rosenberg Padgett requested a delay, while the Obama administration reviewed the military commission system.