REAR ADMIRAL JOSEPH A. SESTAK, JR 

Rear Admiral Sestak was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania on 12 December 1951. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in American Political Systems. 

Ordered to duty in the Atlantic Fleet, Rear Admiral Sestak served Division Officer tours as Damage Control Assistant, Combat Information Center Officer and Weapons Officer aboard USS RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG 23). 

Rear Admiral Sestak then received a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

After completion of Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, Rear Admiral Sestak was ordered to the West Coast aboard USS HOEL (DDG 13) as Weapons Officer. Subsequently, he served as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. 

In January 1986, Rear Admiral Sestak became Executive Officer of USS UNDERWOOD (FFG 36). Following this tour, he served in the Politico-Military Assessment Division of the Joint Staff in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until January 1991. Rear Admiral Sestak took command of the USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58) on 30 August 1991. In 1993, SAMUEL B. ROBERTS was named the best overall surface ship in the Atlantic Fleet in the Battenberg Cup selection. 

In July 1993, Rear Admiral Sestak reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Head, Strategy and Concepts Branch. From November 1994 to March 1997, he was the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff at the White House. In May 1997, he became Commander, Destroyer Squadron FOURTEEN. He currently serves as Director, Strategy and Policy Division (N51), in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. 

Rear Admiral Sestak's personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal with a Gold Star, Joint Service Commendation medal, Navy Commendation medal with two Gold Stars and the Navy Achievement Medal. He is married to the former Susan L. Clark.