WASHINGTON (WPRI) — President Donald Trump has named an acting secretary of defense until his nominee, Pete Hegseth, gets confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Barrington native Robert Salesses was sown in just before noon on Monday. He had been serving as the deputy director of Washington Headquarters Services. In that role, Salesses served as a principal adviser to the director overseeing operational services at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff and other departments. Salesses is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer who served in the Gulf War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Economics. Salesses went on to get his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes SIGN UP NOW