Kernan was nominated as the fifth USD(I) on July 17,2017,was confirmed by the Senate on November 17,2017,and served until November 10,2020,when Ezra Cohen replaced him as acting Undersecretary for Intelligence.[3][4][5]
Kernan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1977 and received a commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He attended Surface Warfare Officer School and reported to USSHorne(CG-30) based in San Diego,California. During his first tour,Kernan served as an Engineering Officer,completed deployments to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions and was designated a Surface Warfare Officer. Upon completion of his initial tour with the Surface Warfare community,Kernan received orders to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. After six months of training,Kernan graduated with BUD/S class 117 in May 1982. Following SEAL Basic Indoctrination and completion of a six month probationary period,he received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer,entitled to wear the SEAL Trident. He commanded Platoons at Underwater Demolition Team 12,later redesigned as SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1,and SEAL Team FIVE. Additionally while assigned to SEAL Team 5,he served as Detachment Officer-in-Charge of four deployed SEAL platoons and Deputy Commander,Naval Special Warfare Task Force,Middle East Force. He later served as executive officer,Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 (NSWU1) at Naval Station Subic Bay,Republic of the Philippines. His staff positions included the Naval Special Warfare Officer Detailer,operations officer,SEAL Team THREE,Chief of Staff and Deputy commander at Naval Special Warfare Command and Director,of Naval Special Warfare Branch on the Navy Staff.[6] He later earned an M.S. in resource management from National Defense University in 1997.
On May 19,2009,Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that President Barack Obama had selected Kernan for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.[9] He assumed the assignment in June 2009. In May 2011,he was assigned as deputy commander United States Southern Command until his retirement in September 2013.
Later career
After his military retirement,Kernan served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for SAP National Security Services.[10]
On July 17,2017,President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Kernan to the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.[3] His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on November 16,2017.[4] On November 10,2020,Kernan retired from government service.[11] Ezra Cohen replaced him as the acting Undersecretary for Intelligence.[5]
Business activities and board memberships
Kernan also serves as the chairman of NS2 Serves,a "veteran training and employment program," as well as on the board of directors for both the National Navy SEAL Museum and The Mission Continues,a nonprofit founded by former Missouri governor and former SEAL,Eric Greitens.[12]
In September 2017,Joe returned to SAP NS2 where he now works as Chief Security Officer. He and his wife Jan also run a well-known vineyard in Leesburg,Virginia called Bleufrog Vineyards.
Personal life
Kernan and his wife,Janet,have two children:Sean and Shannon.[13]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
United States 
United States Navy 
