President Donald Trump has appointed an acting defense secretary, Robert Salesses, as his nominee for the position, Pete Hegseth, awaits Senate confirmation. Salesses, a retired Marine with Gulf War experience and a Bronze Star, currently leads the Washington Headquarters Service, overseeing various support services for the military branches and Pentagon leadership.
In the interim, three other career Defense Department civilians will serve as acting heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Mark Averill, a senior civilian and West Point graduate, will act as the Army secretary. Terence Emmert, a former Navy aviator with research and testing expertise, will serve as the acting Navy secretary. Gary Ashworth, a former Air Force officer with extensive acquisition experience, will act as the Air Force secretary.
