| Joseph A. Sestak |
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Information AboutJoseph A. Sestak |
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PERSONAL Sestak was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania and graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School. In 1974, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor Of Science degree in American Political Systems. As a Surface Warfare officer, Sestak served division officer tours as damage control assistant, combat information center officer and weapons officer aboard the Guided Missile Destroyer USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) . He completed department-head training in Newport, Rhode Island , and became weapons officer abaord the guided missile destroyer USS Hoel (DDG-13) . He then served as aide and flag lieutenant to the admiral in charge of U.S. Navy surface forces in the Pacific. In January 1986, Sestak became executive officer of the guided missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG-36) . He then served in in the Politico-Military Assessment Division of the staff of the Joint Chiefs Of Staff . On August 30, 1991, Sestak took command of the guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) , which was named the Atlantic Fleet 's best Surface Combatant in the 1993 Battenberg Cup competition (although the cup ultimately went to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) ). In July 1993, Sestak reported to the office of the Chief Of Naval Operations as the head of its Strategy and Concepts Branch. From November 1994 to March 1997, he was the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff at the White House , where he was responsible for national security and defense strategy, policies, programs, interagency and congressional coordination and regional political-military advice. In May 1997, he became the commander of Destroyer Squadron 14 . Sestak then directed the CNO's Strategy and Policy Division (N51), and led the Navy's efforts toward the 2000 Quadrennial Defense Review, for which he analyzed the economic value of U.S. defense spending. After the September 11, 2001 Attacks , he became the first director of the Navy Operations Group (Deep Blue), which sought to redefine strategic, operational and budgetary policies in the Global War On Terrorism . Sestak's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal , Defense Superior Service Medal , two Legion Of Merit awards, two Meritorious Service Medal s, Joint Service Commendation Medal , three Navy Commendation Medal s and the Navy Achievement Medal . {Link without Title} Between tours at sea, Sestak earned a master's degree in Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University . Sestak is married to the former Susan L. Clark and they have a daughter, Alexandra. POLITICAL STANCES Sestak is reportedly a moderate on domestic issues. "I feel that the security of our nation and of our children is being eroded," Sestak said. "I'm not talking just about our defense security...the tragic misadventure in Iraq... but also about our economy, our tax...and spending policies, our policies on health and education... I feel Curt Weldon has been voting the wrong way on all these issues." {Link without Title} In April 2006, his daughter's cancer treatment became a campaign issue when Weldon questioned the Sestak family's decision to have Alexandra treated in Washington, D.C. , instead of some Pennsylvania facility. Sestak said that medical decisions about his daughter were off-limits and asked Weldon to apologize. {Link without Title} EXTERNAL LINKS
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