Robert Salesses

Robert G. Salesses is the Director of Administration and Management in the U.S. Department of Defense who served as the Acting Secretary of Defense in the Trump Administration from January 20, 2025 to January 25, 2025. He was formerly a U.S. Marine Corps officer and has served in multiple positions in the Department of Defense.

As Deputy Director for Washington Headquarters Services, he manages a portfolio of complex and integrated operational services to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other military and Department of Defense agencies. He provides oversight of financial, contracting, security, human resources, and other logistical operations that support nearly 100,000 Department of Defense personnel.

Education Salesses earned a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Economics from Rhode Island College, followed by a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Career Salesses served as a United States Marine Corps officer, where he was involved in the planning and execution of several military contingencies and crisis responses. His career culminated in an assignment to the Joint Chief of Staff where he developed response options for global contingency missions. Salesses was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service during the liberation of Kuwait. During his time as the latter, he also was Acting Director, Facilities Services Directorate.

During his federal civil service career, he has been awarded the DoD Distinguished, Meritorious, and Exceptional Civil Service Awards and the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal. Additionally, he has been awarded the Presidential Rank Awards twice.