Peter G. Vasely
Official portrait, 2023
Born1967 (age 56–57)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1990–present
RankRear Admiral
Commands heldU.S. Forces Afghanistan Forward
Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan
Naval Special Warfare Group 2[1]
Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development Squadron 2
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (4)

Peter Gerard Vasely[2] (born 1967)[3] is a United States Navy rear admiral who serves as deputy director for future joint force development of the Joint Staff since June 3, 2022.[4] He served as a special assistant to the Director of the Navy Staff from November 4, 2021 to June 3, 2022.[5] Before that, he served as the Director of Operations of the Defense Intelligence Agency from November 2019 to 2021 and then as the Commander of Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan and NATO Special Operations Component Command–Afghanistan from May 17 to August 31, 2021.[6][7][8] Vasely is a Navy SEAL officer and former member of SEAL Team ONE and Development Group.[6][9][10]

Early life and family

Raised in Coronado, California, Vasely graduated from Coronado High School in 1985. He then attended the Northfield Mt. Hermon Prep School, graduating in 1986, before entering the United States Naval Academy.[6][11][12]

Vasely is the son of Edward J. Vasely (born February 22, 1925) and Jean Frances (Cahill) Vasely (December 7, 1927 – June 4, 2018). His father served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.[12][13][14] Vasely married Deanne Maree Clarke on January 21, 2000 in Escambia County, Florida. They have a son and a daughter.[6][15]

Military career

Vasely earned a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the Naval Academy in 1990 and received a commission as an ensign in the United States Navy. He volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, graduating with BUD/S class 172 in February 1991. His first operational assignment was with SEAL Team ONE in at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

Following SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of six month probationary period, Vasely received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia also known as "SEAL Trident". Vasely served as assistant platoon commander and platoon commander during deployments to Southeast Asia. In 1995, Vasely volunteered for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group in Damneck, Virginia, and completed a specialized selection and training course. He then served with the command until 1998, during which he planned, rehearsed and operated during classified operations. Vasely served as executive officer with SBU-22 from 1998 to 2000, followed by a tour with Joint Special Operations Command from 2000 to 2002. Vasely returned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group in August 2002 as squadron commander till 2005, completing deployments to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.[16] He later received an M.S. degree in joint warfighting and strategic studies from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School.[2][6]

Vasely's later staff assignments and joint tours include: Operations Officer, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Branch Chief and Operations Officer at Joint Staff/Deputy Director for Special Operations (137-DDSO), Deputy Director for Operations, Director of Operations at JSOC, and Deputy Commanding Officer of Naval Special Warfare Development Group. As a captain, Vasely was assigned as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group Two where he organized, equipped, deployed, and sustained NSW forces in support of Theater Special Operations Commands in AFRICOM, EUCOM, SOUTHCOM, and CENTCOM.[17]

Vasely was assigned to command U.S. Forces Afghanistan Forward in July 2021.[10][18] He was promoted to his current rank on April 1, 2021,[8][19] and was assigned as deputy director for joint training of the Joint Staff.[20]

Awards and decorations

Vasely's personal awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (two awards), Bronze Star Medal with "V" distinguishing device (four awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation (two awards), and various campaign, unit, and service awards.

References

  1. ^ https://media-cdn.dvidshub.net/pubs/pdf_23595.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ a b "PN1011 — Navy — 101st Congress (1989–1990)". U.S. Congress. March 9, 1990. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  3. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 201. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), July 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  5. ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public) November 2021" (PDF). United States Navy. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2021.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "FY-18 REAR ADMIRAL (LOWER HALF) LINE AND STAFF CORPS SELECTIONS". www.navy.mil.
  8. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ Mitchell, Ellen (July 2, 2021). "Pentagon to switch over U.S. military leadership in Afghanistan". The Hill. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (July 12, 2021). "A top U.S. general in Afghanistan steps down as the war ends and the Taliban sweep across much of the country". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  11. ^ Beachcomber '85. Vol. LXIII. Coronado, California: Coronado High School. 1985. p. 159.
  12. ^ a b "Vasely earns Navy commission". Coronado Eagle and Journal. Vol. 80, no. 25. June 21, 1990. p. 8. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  13. ^ "Meet Ed Vasely!". San Diego, California: USS Midway Museum. August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Obituary for Jean F. Vasely". Greenwood Memorial Park, Mortuary and Crematory. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "Marriage Certificate". Marriage Index, 1927–2001. No. 12260. Jacksonville, Florida: Florida Department of Health.
  16. ^ "Coronado Eagle and Journal, Volume 96, Number 47, 22 November 2006". Archived from the original on October 4, 2021.
  17. ^ "Biography Data Book Class 2020-4 13 – 31 July 2020 National Defense University" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 30, 2021.
  18. ^ "Austin approves new US Forces Afghanistan Forward command as drawdown nears early completion". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  19. ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  20. ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), May 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. April 30, 2022.
Military offices Preceded by??? Director for Operations of the Defense Intelligence Agency 202?–2021 Succeeded byMichelle A. Schmidt Preceded byMarcus S. Evans Commander of the NATO Special Operations Component Command–Afghanistan and Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan 2021 Commands disestablished Preceded byAustin S. Milleras Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan Commander of United States Forces Afghanistan – Forward 2021 Preceded byStephen F. Jost Deputy Director for Joint Training of the Joint Staff 2022–present Incumbent
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