Background
Harvey was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1969.
Harvey was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1969.
Harvard University; Harvard Kennedy School.
He previously served as Director, Navy Staff (N09B) from March 24, 2008 to July 23, 2009. Prior to that, he served as the 54th Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education) (Non-attached) from November 2005 to April 2008. He retired from the Navy after over 39 years of service.
He received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1973 and immediately commenced training in the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion program
In 1988, he received a Masters degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Harvey has served at sea on the United States Ship Enterprise (CVN-65), United States Ship Bainbridge (CGN-25), United States Ship McInerney (FFG-8), as Reactor Officer on the United States Ship Nimitz (CVN-68), and as Executive Officer on the United States Ship Long Beach (CGN-9).
He commanded United States Ship David R. Ray (Doctor of Divinity-971), United States Ship Cape Saint George (CG-71) and Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight/Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group. He has deployed to the North and South Atlantic.
The Mediterranean, Baltic and Red Seas.
The Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf. Harvey"s shore assignments includes two tours at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, as the Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), as Director, Total Force Programming and Manpower Management Division (OPNAV N12), and as Deputy for Warfare Integration (OPNAV N7F). On November 22, 2005, then-Rear Admiral Harvey was promoted to vice admiral and assumed duties as the Navy’s 54th Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education).
On January 24, 2008, Harvey was nominated by President George West. Bush for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as Director, Navy Staff (N09B).
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 13, 2008. With the removal of previous Director, Navy Staff, Vice Admiral John Stufflebeem, Harvey assumed those duties on March 24, 2008.
On April 15, 2009, Harvey was nominated by President Barack Obama for appointment to the grade of admiral and assignment as Commander, United States. Fleet Forces Command. He was confirmed by the Senate on May 4, 2009, and assumed the assignment on July 24, 2009.
On December 16, 2011, the United States Navy"s Old Salt designation was passed to Harvey, making him the longest-serving currently on active duty within the United States Navy.
Harvey is active in the naval blogosphere often posting at the United States Naval Institute"s blog. As Commander, United States. Fleet Forces Command, he maintains his own blog. Harvey was appointed as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security in the cabinet of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.
In accordance with legislation signed by Governor McAuliffe in March 2014, his current post was renamed as the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs.
