Mark Esper

Mark Esper is an American former government official and retired military officer who served as the 27th United States Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump. His tenure was marked by significant focus on implementing the National Defense Strategy and countering strategic competitors like China and Russia. Previously, he served as the 23rd United States Secretary of the Army, and his career spans decades in the United States Army, the United States Congress, the private sector, and prominent think tanks.

Early life and education

Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Esper graduated from Laurel Highlands High School before receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as an infantry officer. He later earned a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Doctor of Philosophy in public policy from the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University.

Military career

Esper's active-duty military service included over a decade with the 101st Airborne Division, where he served in the Gulf War during Operation Desert Storm. He commanded a rifle company in the 3rd Infantry Regiment and later served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and with the United States Army Reserve. After leaving active duty, he continued his service in the Virginia Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve, retiring in 2007 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. His decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.

Civilian career and political appointments

Following his military service, Esper held several key roles in the United States Congress, including as a senior staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. He later served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Negotiations Policy at the Pentagon during the George W. Bush administration. In the private sector, he was a senior executive at the Aerospace Industries Association and Raytheon Technologies, and he held leadership positions at the Heritage Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Secretary of Defense

Appointed as the United States Secretary of the Army in 2017, Esper was confirmed as United States Secretary of Defense in July 2019. His tenure prioritized the implementation of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, emphasizing great-power competition with China and Russia. Key initiatives included the establishment of the United States Space Force, modernizing the United States nuclear triad, and increasing defense investments in artificial intelligence and hypersonic weapons. His term included the 2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani and the military response to civil unrest in 2020. His relationship with the White House became strained, culminating in his dismissal via Twitter by President Donald Trump following the 2020 United States presidential election.

Post-government career and public statements

Since leaving the Pentagon, Esper has joined the board of directors for the defense contractor Epirus and serves as a distinguished professor at the McCain Institute. He published a memoir, *A Sacred Oath*, in 2022, offering a critical account of his time in the Trump administration. He has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, arguing against his fitness for office in interviews with major outlets like CNN and CBS News, and has testified before the January 6 Committee regarding the events at the United States Capitol.

Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:United States Secretaries of Defense Category:United States Secretaries of the Army