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Mark Esper

Mark Thomas Esper is an American politician, former U.S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mark Thomas Esper is an American politician, former U.S. Army officer, and defence executive who served as the 23rd U.S. Secretary of the Army from 2017 to 2019 and the 27th U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2020. He is a West Point graduate and a veteran of the Gulf War. His work in government, think tanks, and the defence industry, including as vice president of government relations at Raytheon, preceded his cabinet roles.

Early life and education

Esper was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Laurel Highlands High School in 1982. He earned a B.S. in engineering from West Point, a master's degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, and a doctorate in public policy from George Washington University.

Military and government career

Esper served in the U.S. Army, including with the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division, and was deployed during the Gulf War. After military service, he held roles in defence policy and congressional staff work, including at the Heritage Foundation and the Department of Defense.

Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense

Esper served as Secretary of the Army from 2017 to 2019 before being appointed acting Secretary of Defense in June 2019 and later confirmed as Secretary of Defense in July 2019. He remained in office until November 2020.

Post-government career

After leaving government, Esper worked in private-sector and policy-related roles and wrote a memoir about his time in the Trump administration. He has also remained active as a public speaker and national security commentator.

Key facts

  • Graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986.
  • Served as an infantry officer and saw combat during the Gulf War.
  • Worked as vice president of government relations at Raytheon before entering the Trump administration.
  • Served as Secretary of the Army before becoming Secretary of Defense and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July 2019.
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Canadian context

Esper is relevant to Canadian readers through U.S.-Canada defence cooperation, NATO policy, and broader North American security issues during his tenure as U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mark Esper?
Mark Esper is an American former Army officer, defense executive, and politician who served as U.S. Secretary of the Army and later Secretary of Defense.
When was Mark Esper born?
He was born on April 26, 1964, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
What was Mark Esper's role in the Trump administration?
He served as Secretary of the Army from 2017 to 2019 and as Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2020.
What did Mark Esper do before becoming Secretary of Defense?
Before joining the Trump administration, he was vice president of government relations at Raytheon and had previously worked in government and policy roles.
Did Mark Esper serve in the military?
Yes. He served as an Army infantry officer and saw combat during the Gulf War.
What degrees does Mark Esper hold?
He holds a B.S. in engineering from West Point, an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and a Ph.D. in public policy from George Washington University.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Esper
    Supports: Biographical details, military service, education, and offices held.
  2. Ballotpedia — https://www.ballotpedia.org/Mark_Esper
    Supports: Dates of service, Senate confirmation, and education details.
  3. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/mark-esper
    Supports: Birth date, career overview, and service as Secretary of Defense.
  4. Aspen Security Forum — https://www.aspensecurityforum.org/esper-mark-asg/
    Supports: Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Army roles, education, and policy emphasis.
  5. OpenSecrets — https://www.opensecrets.org/revolving-door/esper-mark/summary?id=70733
    Supports: Raytheon government relations role before entering the Trump administration.