Secretary of Defense Mark Esper

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is a former American politician and United States Army veteran who served as the 27th Secretary of Defense from July 2019 to November 2020. Esper was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate with a vote of 90-8, following the resignation of Jim Mattis. Prior to his appointment, Esper served as the United States Secretary of the Army and worked for several prominent organizations, including Raytheon Technologies and the Heritage Foundation. He also held various positions in the United States House of Representatives, working for Senator Chuck Hagel and Senator Bill Frist.

● Early Life and Education

Mark Esper was born on April 26, 1964, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to a family of Pennsylvania State University alumni. He grew up in Laurel Highlands and attended Laurel Highlands High School, where he developed an interest in United States history and international relations. Esper earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and later received a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College and was a Fellow at the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

● Military Career

Esper served in the United States Army for over 20 years, including a deployment to the Gulf War with the 101st Airborne Division. He also served in the United States Army Reserve and the National Guard Bureau, holding various positions, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Negotiations Policy and Executive Secretary of the National Security Council. Esper worked closely with prominent military leaders, including General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., General Colin Powell, and General David Petraeus. He was awarded several decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal, for his service in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

● Secretary of Defense

As Secretary of Defense, Esper played a crucial role in shaping the United States Department of Defense's policies and strategies, particularly with regards to China and Russia. He worked closely with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Hyten to develop the National Defense Strategy. Esper also collaborated with international partners, including NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds, to address global security challenges, such as terrorism and cybersecurity. He was a strong supporter of the United States Space Force and worked to establish the United States Space Command.

● Policy and Initiatives

During his tenure, Esper implemented several key policies and initiatives, including the Defense Innovation Unit and the Trusted Capital Marketplace. He also launched the Department of Defense's Artificial Intelligence strategy and established the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. Esper was a strong advocate for acquisition reform and worked to improve the Department of Defense's procurement processes, particularly with regards to hypersonic weapons and cybersecurity. He also emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the United States military, working to increase opportunities for women in the military and minority groups.

● Controversies and Removal

Esper's tenure as Secretary of Defense was marked by several controversies, including the 2020 United States presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic. He faced criticism for his handling of the George Floyd protests and the 2020 deployment of federal forces to the United States–Mexico border. Esper was also at odds with President Donald Trump over issues such as military spending and the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan. On November 9, 2020, Esper was fired by President Donald Trump via Twitter, and was replaced by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller.

● Later Life and Career

After his removal as Secretary of Defense, Esper returned to the private sector, joining the Board of Directors of Raytheon Technologies. He also became a Distinguished Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a Senior Fellow at the McCormick Foundation. Esper has written extensively on national security and defense policy, publishing articles in The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, and The National Interest. He has also spoken at various conferences and events, including the Munich Security Conference and the Shangri-La Dialogue. Esper remains a prominent figure in the United States defense community, working to shape the country's national security policies and strategies. Category:United States Secretaries of Defense