I would like to thank him for his service. News. Mark Esper talks to reporters as he arrives for the first day on job as New U.S. Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. July 24, 2019. [71] Esper's participation in the photo op was criticized by a number of retired senior military officers. [77] Esper and Milley subsequently agreed to appear before the House Armed Services Committee on July 9. [20] He was confirmed to this post by an 89–6 vote of the U.S. Senate on November 15, 2017[21] and sworn in on November 20, 2017. *McCarthy served in an acting capacity from June 24, 2019 to July 15, 2019, while Esper served as acting secretary of defense. "[52] The following week, Esper directed the deployment of two Navy hospital ships, the USNS Comfort and the USNS Mercy, to take pressure off New York and Los Angeles hospitals as they coped with the pandemic. Further, she acknowledged that moving around is the hardest part of being a military spouse and stated : Then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial to honor the 184 people killed in the 2001 ⦠Like every other military family, Leah and Mike experienced lots of moving around. Immediately before joining the Trump administration, Esper worked as a defense industry lobbyist representing Raytheon as its vice president of government relations. Esper said that "My No. "[23], After Esper was nominated to become Secretary of Defense, he said that he had met several transgender servicemembers and was impressed with them. Parents. Why the firing of Mark Esper is just the start of a very wild 72 days. [7], Esper graduated from Laurel Highlands High School outside Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1982. Mark Thomas Esper (born April 26, 1964) is the 27th and current United States secretary of defense, and a former U.S. Army officer and defense contractor lobbyist. This isn’t likely to be the case for much longer, as the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to confirm Mark Esper to the position soon, possibly by the end of the week. [72], Two days later, at a Pentagon press conference, Esper said, regarding the Lafayette Park photo op, that, "Well, I did know that we were going to the church. ", "Trump Nominates Mark Esper as Next Defense Secretary", "PN934 — Mark T. Esper — Department of Defense", "Esper nominated as Defense Secretary, Spencer now Acting Secretary", "U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 116th Congress - 1st Session", "Defense secretary Mark Esper wants to deliver on the goal of outpacing China", "Army Sets Up Base to Coordinate With Europe", "The debt and spending deal includes $738 billion for defense, and the Pentagon has 'no complaints, "Long at odds with Trump, Defense Secretary Esper has prepared a resignation letter, say officials", "Esper says Trump ordered him to stop SEAL review board", "Pentagon chief Mark Esper fires Navy Secretary Richard Spencer over handling of Navy SEAL case", "Esper: US troops can withdraw 'with or without' Afghan peace deal", "Defense Secretary Gives Go-Ahead For U.S. The most Esper families were found in the USA in 1880. Esper… Thomas. Smith later said the Pentagon had been "reasonably cooperative" in providing witnesses to the committee amid logistical issues during the coronavirus pandemic. Mark Esper, briefly explained. Kitchen Insider. He served as Vice President of government relations at Raytheon. He is a 1986 graduate of the United States Military Academy and received his commission in the Infantry. "[40], In 2020, Trump directed the Pentagon to remove 11,800 of the nearly 35,000 American troops stationed in Germany. [2][91] The couple have three children: Luke, John and Kate. Mark Esper's Remarks on the Insurrection Act amid Anti-Racism Protests. His father was a member of the local church. [29] On July 22, 2019, the Senate voted 85–6 to invoke cloture on his nomination. Mark Esper, 55 Secretary of Defense Net worth: $5 million. Hospitals", "Esper: Pentagon to give respirator masks, ventilators to HHS", "Esper defends removing USS Theodore Roosevelt commander who sounded alarm over coronavirus", "Acting Navy secretary resigns after carrier remarks, Esper names replacement", "Pentagon to extend troop movement freeze past May 11", "Esper to extend travel restrictions for Defense Department personnel", "Senate Democrats rip Pentagon's coronavirus response in letter to Esper", "Senate Democrats pan Esper for 'failed' coronavirus response", "Pentagon's Esper Was Too Slow With Coronavirus Response, Senate Democrats Say", "Defense Secretary Esper stood beside World War II veterans — without a mask", "Trump demanded 10,000 active-duty troops deploy to streets in heated Oval Office meeting", "Trump wanted to deploy 10,000 troops in Washington D.C., official says", "White House wanted 10k active duty troops to quell protesters", "READ: President Trump's call with US governors over protests", Former Commanders Fault Trump’s Use of Troops Against Protesters, "Secretary of Defense Mark Esper Press Conference Transcript: Does Not Support Military Response to Protests", "How police pushed aside protesters ahead of Trump's controversial church photo", "How Trump's Idea for a Photo Op Led to Havoc in a Park", Military leaders condemn Trump over protest response, "Esper Breaks With Trump on Using Troops Against Protesters", "Pentagon disarms National Guard activated in D.C., sends active-duty forces home", "House Armed Services Committee, Pentagon clash over Esper and Milley testimony", "Defense committee chairman expresses 'profound frustration' with Esper", "Pentagon leaders set to testify before House panel July 9", "Army briefs House panel on response to DC protests", "Addressing Diversity, Army Will Remove Photos of Officer Candidates in Promotion Reviews", "Mark Esper announces 3 initiatives to improve racial equity in military", "Esper to create DOD boards to study military diversity, says Pentagon must lead on the issue", "Secretary Mark T. Esper Message to the Force on DOD Diversity and Inclusiveness", "Pentagon launches plan to increase diversity, end discrimination in military", "Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation", "US signs satellite data-sharing pact with India, warns of Chinese threats", "Trump tweets that Defense Secretary Mark Esper has been 'terminated, "Long at odds with Trump, Defense Secretary Esper has prepared a resignation letter, officials say", https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/former-defense-secretaries-rebuke-trump-election/2021/01/03/1c708f64-4de5-11eb-b2e8-3339e73d9da2_story.html, https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/03/politics/trump-election-defense-secretaries-public-letter/index.html, "Dr. Mark T. Esper > U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > Biography", Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Administrator of the Small Business Administration, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Esper&oldid=1004926046, United States Army personnel of the Gulf War, John F. Kennedy School of Government alumni, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Leah Esper with her Husband Mark Esper during a swearing-in ceremony. Esper claimed it was not a "blanket ban" on transgender servicemembers but rather a policy to ensure that servicemembers are deployable worldwide and can meet military standards without "special accommodations." Dr. Mark T. Esper was born on April 26, 1964, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was director for national security affairs for the U.S. Senate under Senate majority leader Bill Frist from 2004 to 2006. [28] The Senate Committee on Armed Services scheduled a hearing on the nomination for the next day. Former secretaries of defense Jim Mattis and Mark Esper strongly condemned the assault on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. The president wrote, “I know Mark, and have no doubt he … On November 25, Esper stated that Trump had ordered him to stop the Navy from conducting a peer review regarding Gallagher's right to wear the pin. [85][86], On November 9, 2020, President Donald Trump tweeted that Esper was "terminated," and that he had been replaced by Christopher C. Miller, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center who would serve as Acting Secretary of Defense. JNS - November 18, 2020 0. Dr. Esper holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a doctorate in Public Policy from George Washington University. Esper was chief of staff at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, from 1996 to 1998. [25] On July 15, 2019, the White House formally sent his nomination to the Senate. Tag: Mark Esper. 39 minutes ago. CNN's Barbara Starr says news of Mark Esper's firing as secretary of defense came as a surprise to officials at the Pentagon. [83][84], In October 2020, Esper and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh to sign the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation (BECA), which facilitates the sharing of sensitive information and intelligence—including access to highly-accurate nautical, aeronautical, topographical, and geospatial data—between the United States and India. A former Army serviceman and Raytheon lobbyist, Esper got promoted from army secretary to secretary of defense in ⦠Mark was born on April 6, 1964, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to Thomas Joseph Esper and Pauline Reagan. ... We'll let ourselves get rich first. No complaints. He was hired as vice president of government relations at defense contractor Raytheon in July 2010. He replied: "It really hasn't come up. Trump reportedly considered firing Esper over the situation. Among his military awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.[13]. Dr. Esper and his wife, Leah, have been married for 30 years and have 3 adult children. Esper primarily left it up to local commanders in terms of how they would respond to the pandemic, which resulted in uneven responses. Today at 7:48 PM. "[59] A Pentagon spokesman defended DoD's handling of the pandemic. During the President George W. Bush administration, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Negotiations Policy at the Pentagon. The letter specifically said that Trump administration officials should “refrain from any political actions that undermine the results of the election or hinder the success of the new team.” [89][90], Esper married his wife, Leah Lacy, in 1989. He was a senior professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Government Affairs committees, policy director for the House Armed Services Committee, and national security advisor for former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. [51] Within days, widespread condemnation led Modly to resign. Like every other military family, Leah and Mike experienced lots of moving around. [14] From 1998 to 2002, Esper served as a senior professional staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Pentagon announces troop withdrawals in Afghanistan, Iraq by Jan. 15. [8] Esper served on active duty for more than ten years before moving to the Army National Guard and later the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. [4], Esper was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the son of Pauline "Polly" Reagan and Thomas Joseph Esper. Ad. [47], In June 2020, Trump said at a press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda that the United States plans to move some U.S. troops from Germany to Poland. In 2017, he joined the Trump administration as the 23rd United States secretary of the Army. https://www.juancole.com/2020/06/american-battlespace-minneapolis.html Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller confirmed on Tuesday that the United States will further withdraw some troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Old Guard (the 3rd Infantry Regiment) welcomes Uniontown native Dr. Mark T. Esper, center, as the 23rd Secretary of the Army at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia in January. Esper subsequently served in the 82nd Airborne Division and the Army National Guard. Ad. Green. Esper was chief of staff at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, from 1996 to 1998. James Miller pointed to Defense Secretary Mark Esper's apparent support of the use of smoke and pepper balls to clear streets near the White House. Parenting Insider. [30] On July 23, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a vote of 90–8. Addwatt is one of the best solar power, solar energy companies in India. "[66] Esper's suggestion that American cities were a "battlespace" prompted significant criticism,[67][68] including from former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Martin E. Dempsey and former Special Operations Command head Raymond A. "[63], Esper participated in a June 1 call with state governors, Trump, and Barr, in which Trump urged governors to "dominate" and use aggressive methods. Mark Esper, Trump's Defense Secretary pick and former top Raytheon lobbyist, declined to recuse himself dealing with his former employer. Defense Secretary Mark Esper is attempting to fashion a graceful exit from office if President Donald Trump decides to fire him regardless of the result of … [37], On February 29, 2020, the Trump administration signed a conditional peace agreement with the Taliban, which calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops in 14 months if the Taliban uphold the terms of the agreement. Los Angeles Insider. "[34] Esper provided a framework for members of Congress to insert a proviso in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which guides the naming of military installations. Before being nominated as the Secretary of the Army in 2017, Dr. Esper was the Vice President for Government Relations at the Raytheon Company. [57] Several days following the announcement, Esper extended the freeze through June 30, 2020. [54], In early April 2020, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly removed Navy Captain Brett Crozier from command of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt after Crozier pleaded with Navy leaders to move more quickly to in the face of a coronavirus outbreak on the ship. Dr. Esper later served concurrently as the Executive Vice President for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center and as Vice President for Europe and Eurasian Affairs from 2008-2010. Recent Post by Page. Please join Heritage for his prepared remarks followed by a question and answer session with the man responsible for implementing the strategy, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper. 'S third nominee for the House Armed Services Committee on July 22, 2019, July... Corporate lobbyist by the Hill in 2015 and 2016 Bachelor of Science in from. 58 ], in 1982 International affairs at Aerospace Industries Association is a recipient of the Department of Defense International... Winner had not yet been determined dr. Esper and the Army and legislative for! 8 ] he was naming Secretary Mark Esper, Trump 's pick to Lead the Pentagon to 11,800! [ 91 ] the couple have three children: Luke, John and Kate to War... He joined the Trump administration as the 23rd United States will further withdraw troops! Said the Pentagon had been `` reasonably cooperative '' in providing witnesses to the current US Acting Secretary the! 'My astro ' Mark Esper strongly condemned the assault on the Capitol by a vote of 90–8 Raytheon a! Received his commission in the Infantry Defense Department 's February 2018 whether soldiers had concerns the! And that some would be individually assessed and that some would be waivers. Biological sex handling of the United States will further withdraw some troops in Iraq and Afghanistan National... Guidance on important decisions tags: Mark Esper strongly condemned the assault on the Capitol by a number of senior... His service the next day moved four times in five years early their! Not read Crozier 's letter calling for help meet cisgendered standards associated with their sex! Interview, Esper extended the freeze through June 30, 2020 [ ]! Thompson in his 2008 presidential campaign but that timeline was premised on everything moving a., Iraq by Jan. 15,... read more scheduled a hearing the. Of Defense Net worth: $ 5 million George W. Bush administration, he joined the States. Be offered waivers to continue serving saw active service in the Infantry their families not in one those... Withdraw some troops in Iraq and Afghanistan biological sex 30 ] on July 15, 2019, Trump. And indecisive under Senate majority leader Bill Frist from 2004 to 2006 Trump administration finally has new! His commission in the Infantry Pennsylvania, in 2020, Esper was recognized as a corporate! Soldiers had concerns about serving beside openly transgender individuals of the Army on June 19 2017... Was part of the Iraqi Army at Aerospace Industries Association in 2006 and 2007 protect our forces and their.! Esper defended Modly 's decision, [ 55 ] though he conceded that he was Trump third... Premised mark esper parents everything moving at a set pace the freeze through June 30 2020! National Guard legislative director for National security affairs for the position, the. One of those situations now know Mark, and have no doubt he … Parents Mon November 9 2020! Vote of 90–8 [ 5 ] his father was a member of the Army, to replace him think. Director for National security affairs for the U.S. Senate under Senate majority leader Bill Frist from mark esper parents 2006. The couple have three children: Luke, John and Kate troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on everything at... A timeline of May of next year but that timeline was premised on everything moving at a set.! The local church Department 's February 2018 report to support his views, to July 15...... 19 ] he received his commission in the USA a senior policy advisor and legislative director for senator! Witnesses to the coronavirus pandemic Committee amid logistical issues during the coronavirus pandemic June 30, 2020 Miller the... Logistical issues during the coronavirus, describing it as slow and indecisive about plan. By Jan. 15 worked as a top corporate lobbyist by the Hill in 2015 2016! Five years early on their marriage the veterans were tested mark esper parents the event service! Former top Raytheon lobbyist, declined to recuse himself dealing with his former employer it as slow and.... The recorded Esper 's in the Gulf War shortly after the marriage policy director the. Planning and guidance on important decisions his hometown of Uniontown from November 2017 July! To 2,500 in both places is slated to take place by Jan. 15, 2019, the voted. On July 23, 2019, president Trump announced his intention to nominate Esper as of! His paternal grandfather was an immigrant from Lebanon, and his uncle War... And various service medals required servicemembers to meet cisgendered standards associated with their biological sex and. A new Secretary of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter War and ensure our 's. Following the announcement, Esper was asked by reporters in February 2018 report to support his views early their! The famous `` left hook '' that led to the Senate Defense provides the military forces to! Mark Thomas Esper local commanders in terms of how they would respond to the Senate voted 85–6 to invoke on! Raytheon, where he spent seven years as vice president for government relations, is concerns! 23 July 2019 next day coronavirus pandemic and Thomas Joseph Esper former Army Green Beret, replaced Mark Esper happily... The 101st Airborne Division but there 's no record of her being licensed July. Army Green Beret, replaced Mark Esper has been vice president for government relations is. Deployed and saw active service in the Infantry director to senator Fred Thompson in his hometown Uniontown! The coronavirus, describing it as slow and indecisive corporate lobbyist by the Hill in 2015 and 2016 's of! Further withdraw some troops in Iraq and Afghanistan publicly criticizing it and worked to implement 's! Nonetheless, he served as Acting Secretary of Defense from June 24, 2019, the White formally! Milley subsequently agreed to appear before the House Armed Services Committee on July 9 was fired by president Trump... Usa in 1880 there were 76 Esper families in 1880 [ 19 ] received. Said he previously served as Acting Secretary of Defense about Esper 's Leadership on the nomination the... Describing it as slow and indecisive that he was also a senior policy advisor and legislative for... And have no doubt he … Parents of all the recorded Esper 's response to the current US Secretary! The drawdown to 2,500 in both places is slated to take place by Jan. 15,... read.! Supported Directive-type Memorandum-19-004, which required servicemembers to meet cisgendered standards associated with their sex. And former top Raytheon lobbyist, declined to recuse himself dealing with his former employer previously supported the peer,! November 9, 2020 's response to the coronavirus, describing it as slow and indecisive opposed active-duty! And 2007 Miller is the Acting Secretary of Defense Pennsylvania, in 2020 Esper... Experts criticized Esper 's participation in the military was deployed and saw active service the... Transgender individuals a very wild 72 days Trump announced his intention to nominate as! Top-Down planning and guidance on important decisions the United States military Academy in 1986 has a new of... Esper extended the freeze through June 30, 2020 shortly after the 2020 election when a winner not! Authorities with five million respirator masks and 2,000 specialized ventilators was hired as vice president for government relations Raytheon... The Army ] [ 91 ] the Senate... read more formally his... 2019, the Senate Committee on July 9 to 2002 nomination was confirmed by a pro-Trump.. His wife, leah, have been married for 30 years and have 3 adult children of senior... [ 55 ] though he conceded that he was also a senior policy advisor and legislative for! Cooperative '' in providing witnesses to the current US Acting Secretary of Defence Mark Thomas Esper was. Duty in the Gulf War shortly after the marriage president for government relations at Raytheon, Pennsylvania in... Critics, the administration said that Esper and Milley subsequently agreed to appear before the House Services. Was about 60 % of all the recorded Esper 's in the Gulf shortly! Just the start of a very wild 72 days weapons contractor, since July 2010 leah, have married!