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John KirbyRear Admiral of the United States Navy
Date of Birth: 01.01.1963
Country:  USA |
Content:
Early Life and Education
John Kirby, a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, was born into a family with a long lineage of naval service. After graduating from Catholic high school in 1981, Kirby pursued a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of South Florida. He later earned two Master's degrees: one in International Affairs from Troy University and another in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport.
Naval Career
Kirby's naval career began with service aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Aubrey Fitch, followed by public affairs duty on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal. On shore, he held various positions, including instructor at the Naval Academy, editor-in-chief of the Navy's monthly magazine, commander of U.S. forces in Europe, and assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and chief spokesperson for the Department of the Navy.
In December 2013, Kirby was appointed Pentagon Press Secretary, where he managed public perceptions of American military operations. He held the position for a year and a half before transitioning to the U.S. Department of State, where he replaced Jen Psaki as spokesperson.
Government Service
Kirby left the State Department after Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017. In 2021, Joe Biden appointed him as the Department of Defense Press Secretary, where he provided regular briefings on global affairs. Kirby has drawn attention for his statements on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and his criticism of Vladimir Putin.
Personal Life
Kirby has been married to Donna Kirby, a retired Navy captain, for several decades. They have two children: a daughter, Meghan, and a son, Colin. Meghan has overcome anorexia nervosa, a condition she struggled with for six years.
Present Day
Kirby maintains an active presence on Twitter, where he shares official updates and personal insights. In May 2022, he stepped down as Pentagon Press Secretary to join the National Security Council as a strategic communications aide. Despite not being the White House Press Secretary, he continues to provide public commentary alongside his successor, Karine Jean-Pierre.
