Joseph D. Kernan
Encyclopedia
Joseph D. "Joe" Kernan is a United States Navy
vice admiral
. He serves as the Military Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), Miami, Florida. He assumed his current assignment on May 23, 2011.He is second-in-command of one of ten unified commands under the Department of Defense. SOUTHCOM, which conducts military operations and promotes security cooperation throughout the 16000000 square miles (41,439,809.8 km²) area of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Admiral Kernan formerly served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense
from August 2009 to May 2011. Prior to that, he previously served as Commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
from July 1, 2008 to June 12, 2009 and as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command from June 2007 to June 30, 2008. He assumed his current assignment in May 23, 2011.
pilot and Air Force nurse, was born at Travis Air Force Base
, California
on February 4, 1955. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1977, attended Surface Warfare Officer School, and reported to USS Horne (CG-30)
based in San Diego, California.
During this tour, he 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 applied for transfer to and training in the Naval Special Warfare community for qualification as a SEAL
. Kernan reported to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
, California and subsequnetly completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training with Class 117 in 1981. Following SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), he was designated as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the SEAL insignia. He commanded Platoons at Underwater Demolition Team
12, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, and SEAL Team 5. 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 served his executive officer tour at Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 in Naval Station Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines.
Kernan has served as the Naval Special Warfare Officer Detailer and Community Manager, Deputy/Chief Staff Officer, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Chief of Staff and Deputy, Naval Special Warfare Command and Director, Naval Special Warfare Branch on the Navy Staff.
He commanded SEAL Team 2 and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. His joint assignments include Deputy Director and Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg
, North Carolina
, and Director of Operations, Center for Special Operations, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa
, Florida
.
He assumed duties as Commander
, Naval Special Warfare Command in June 2007.
On April 24, 2008, Admiral
Gary Roughead
, the Chief of Naval Operations
, announced that the United States Fourth Fleet would be re-established, effective July 1, with responsibility for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean Sea, as well as throughout Central and South America, with Admiral Kernan as the fleet commander, as well as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
, the naval component of the United States Southern Command
. Kernan became the first Navy SEAL to serve as a numbered fleet commander.
On May 19, 2009, Defense Secretary Robert Gates
announced that the President has selected Kernan for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He assumed the assignment in June 2009.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
vice admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
. He serves as the Military Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), Miami, Florida. He assumed his current assignment on May 23, 2011.He is second-in-command of one of ten unified commands under the Department of Defense. SOUTHCOM, which conducts military operations and promotes security cooperation throughout the 16000000 square miles (41,439,809.8 km²) area of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Admiral Kernan formerly served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
from August 2009 to May 2011. Prior to that, he previously served as Commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command is the naval element of United States Southern Command . Its areas of operation include South America, Central America, the Caribbean and surrounding waters. Its headquarters are located at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. USNAVSO is currently under the command...
from July 1, 2008 to June 12, 2009 and as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command from June 2007 to June 30, 2008. He assumed his current assignment in May 23, 2011.
Background
Kernan, the son of a career Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
pilot and Air Force nurse, was born at Travis Air Force Base
Travis Air Force Base
Travis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force air base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command , located three miles east of the central business district of Fairfield, in Solano County, California, United States. The base is named for Brigadier General Robert F...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on February 4, 1955. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1977, attended Surface Warfare Officer School, and reported to USS Horne (CG-30)
USS Horne (CG-30)
USS Horne was a Belknap-class destroyer leader / cruiser. Named for Admiral Frederick J. Horne, 1880-1959. She was launched as DLG-30, a frigate, and reclassified Cruiser on 30 June 1975....
based in San Diego, California.
During this tour, he served as an Engineering Officer, completed deployments to the Western Pacific and Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
regions and was designated a Surface Warfare Officer.
Upon completion of his initial tour with the Surface Warfare community, Kernan applied for transfer to and training in the Naval Special Warfare community for qualification as a SEAL
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
. Kernan reported to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
Naval Amphibious Base Coronado is a naval installation located across the bay from San Diego, CA. The base, situated on Silver Strand, between the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, is a major Navy shore command, supporting over 30 tenant commands, and is the West Coast focal point for special...
, California and subsequnetly completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training with Class 117 in 1981. Following SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), he was designated as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the SEAL insignia. He commanded Platoons at Underwater Demolition Team
Underwater Demolition Team
The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...
12, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, and SEAL Team 5. 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 served his executive officer tour at Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 in Naval Station Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines.
Kernan has served as the Naval Special Warfare Officer Detailer and Community Manager, Deputy/Chief Staff Officer, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Chief of Staff and Deputy, Naval Special Warfare Command and Director, Naval Special Warfare Branch on the Navy Staff.
He commanded SEAL Team 2 and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. His joint assignments include Deputy Director and Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, and Director of Operations, Center for Special Operations, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
He assumed duties as Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, Naval Special Warfare Command in June 2007.
On April 24, 2008, Admiral
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
Gary Roughead
Gary Roughead
Gary Roughead is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the 29th Chief of Naval Operations from September 29, 2007 to September 22, 2011. He previously served as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, from May 17, 2007, to September 29, 2007. Prior to that he served as...
, the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, announced that the United States Fourth Fleet would be re-established, effective July 1, with responsibility for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean Sea, as well as throughout Central and South America, with Admiral Kernan as the fleet commander, as well as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command is the naval element of United States Southern Command . Its areas of operation include South America, Central America, the Caribbean and surrounding waters. Its headquarters are located at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. USNAVSO is currently under the command...
, the naval component of the United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
. Kernan became the first Navy SEAL to serve as a numbered fleet commander.
On May 19, 2009, Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Robert Gates
Dr. Robert Michael Gates is a retired civil servant and university president who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Prior to this, Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W....
announced that the President has selected Kernan for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He assumed the assignment in June 2009.
Awards and decorations
Naval Special Warfare insignia- Surface Warfare Officer insignia
Naval Parachutist BadgeParachutist Badge (United States)The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy...
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Distinguished Service MedalThe Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service MedalThe Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
with one gold award starAward starAn award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force...Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
with two oak leaf clusterOak leaf clusterAn oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
sLegion of Merit Legion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with gold award starBronze Star Medal Bronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with two gold award stars and "Combat V"Defense Meritorious Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with two gold award starsNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold award stars Joint Service Achievement Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold award star Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action RibbonThe Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...Presidential Unit Citation Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit AwardThe Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit CommendationThe Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....Navy Expeditionary Medal Navy Expeditionary MedalThe Navy Expeditionary Medal is an award of the United States Navy which was first created in August 1936 by General Orders of the Department of the Navy...National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with two bronze service starService starA service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
sArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,...Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service MedalThe Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...Armed Forces Service Medal Armed Forces Service MedalThe Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under...Humanitarian Service Medal Humanitarian Service MedalThe Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under...Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze service stars Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Overseas Service RibbonAn Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,...NATO Medal NATO MedalThe NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium...
for YugoslaviaYugoslaviaYugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Marksmanship MedalThe Marksmanship Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy and the Coast Guard and is the highest award one may receive for weapons qualification...Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal