Robert Salesses
Official portrait, 2005
United States Secretary of Defense
Acting
Assumed office January 20, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Lloyd Austin
Succeeded by	Pete Hegseth (nominee)
Personal details
Education	Rhode Island College (BA) Naval War College (MA)

Robert G. Salesses is Deputy Director of Washington Headquarters Services in the U.S. Department of Defense, currently serving as Acting Secretary of Defense in the Trump Administration since January 20, 2025.^[1] 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.^[2]

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.

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.^[2]

Salesses started his federal civilian career after the September 11 attacks where he served as Special Assistant for the Homeland Security Task Force. In 2005, he was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense Continuity and Mission Assurance, and then Deputy Director, Washington Headquarters Services.^[3] During his time as the latter, he also was Acting Director, Facilities Services Directorate.^[2]

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 have been awarded the Presidential Rank Awards twice.^[2]