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Notable Graduates

Robert B. Pirie Jr.

Robert B. Pirie Jr.

Secretary of the Navy

Class of 1955
  • Secretary of the Navy (acting), 2001

Profile

 

A Naval Academy graduate in the class of 1955, he was also a Rhodes Scholar, and attended Oxford University from 1956 to 1959. He served 20 years as a naval officer, culminating his service with three years in command of a nuclear attack submarine.

Upon retirement from the Navy in 1975, Mr. Pirie joined the newly formed Congressional Budget Office as Deputy Assistant Director, National Security. In 1977 Mr. Pirie became Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics). He was nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics) by President Carter in December 1978, and served in that position until January 1981.

The Honorable Robert B. Pirie, Jr., has been asked by the Bush Administration to serve as Acting Secretary of the Navy until the nomination and confirmation of an appointee by Mr. Bush. Mr. Pirie was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Under Secretary of the Navy on 12 October 2000. He has over 30 years experience in defense-related work in the armed forces, the civil service and in industry.

 
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