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Sean Buck
Buck in 2019
63rd Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy
In office
July 26, 2019 – August 27, 2023
Preceded byWalter E. Carter Jr.
Succeeded byFrederick W. Kacher (acting)
Personal details
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1983–2023
RankVice Admiral
Commands heldUnited States Naval Academy
United States Naval Forces Southern Command
United States Fourth Fleet
Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11
VP-26
Battles/warsGulf War
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (5)
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
George Washington University (MA)
Vice Admiral Buck in the Naval Academy Chapel

Sean Scott Buck (born 1960)[1] is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy who served as the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from July 26, 2019 to August 27, 2023.[2][3]

Early life and education

Buck is a native of Indianapolis where he attended North Central High School, graduating in 1979.[4] He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and received his commission in 1983. He earned a Master of Arts in international security policy from George Washington University and has completed studies at the Naval War College and the Joint Forces Staff College. He also completed a fellowship at MIT Seminar XXI: Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest; and executive certificate programs at both the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Graduate School of Education.[5]

Naval career

Buck was designated a naval flight officer in 1985.

As a flag officer, Buck has served as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force with U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets, Fleet Air Forward, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group; chief of staff, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J5), the Joint Staff; Director, 21st Century Sailor Office, where his portfolio included the Navy's programs on sexual assault prevention and response, suicide prevention, alcohol abuse, and other destructive behaviors; and most recently he served as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet.

Flying the P-3C Orion, Buck's early at-sea operational tours were with the “Fighting Marlins” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40; a disassociated sea tour aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as the catapult and arresting gear division officer; and a department head tour with the “Tridents” of VP-26. He subsequently commanded VP-26 and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11.

Buck's shore and staff assignments include Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1; Bureau of Naval Personnel; Joint Staff J3; Office of the Chief of Naval Operations staff as executive assistant to the deputy chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for Warfare Requirements and Programs (N6/N7); and as the deputy director for operations in the Strategy and Policy Directorate (J5), U.S. Joint Forces Command. Prior to major command, Buck completed an interim assignment with the National Reconnaissance Office; he is a member of the Navy's Space Cadre.

Buck also completed a special assignment as a senior fellow on the CNO's Strategic Studies Group in Newport, Rhode Island, an innovation think tank for the Navy. Buck became the 63rd superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy on July 26, 2019. He retired from the Navy on July 7, 2023, relinquishing his office to Rear Admiral Fred Kacher.[6][7]

Buck's personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (five awards) and various other personal, unit and service awards.[8]

Inspector General's Investigation

VADM Buck was the subject of a Navy Inspector General (IG) investigation concerning statements he made while attempting to disenroll a midshipman from the Naval Academy and deny him a commission in the Navy. The IG concluded that VADM Buck made false statements concerning conversations he had with the midshipman, although none of these statements were false official statements.[9]

Ultimately, the targeted midshipman was reinstated and received his commission.[10]

References

  1. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 86. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  2. ^ "Leadership Biographies". United States Naval Academy. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  3. ^ The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board (November 2019). "Charges against midshipmen raise concern about Naval Academy's commitment to addressing sexual assault". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  4. ^ Northerner. Indianapolis, Indiana: North Central High School. 1979. p. 155.
  5. ^ "Vice Admiral Sean Buck". U.S. Navy. August 18, 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-05. Public domain source.
  6. ^ "H.Res.563 - Recognizing Vice Admiral Sean Buck for his 44 years of exemplary service to his country and his home State of Indiana". U.S. Congress. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  7. ^ LaGrone, Sam (2023-07-13). "Three Admirals Approved to Retire Amid Senate Confirmation Hold, Temporary Naval Academy Leader Chosen". USNI News. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  8. ^ "Biography of the Superintendent".
  9. ^ "Report of Investigation: Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy, Superintendent, United States Naval Academy" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Associated Press Article of May 29, 2021, "Midshipman who had faced expulsion for tweets graduates"". Associated Press. 29 May 2021.
Military offices Preceded byGeorge W. Ballance Commander of the United States Fourth Fleet 2016–2019 Succeeded byDonald D. Gabrielson Preceded byWalter E. Carter Jr. 63rd Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy 2019–2023 Succeeded byFrederick W. KacherActing


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