Kernan, the son of a career Air Force pilot and Air Force nurse, was born at Travis Air Force Base, California, on February 4, 1955. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1977, attended Surface Warfare Officer School, and reported to based in San Diego, California. During this tour, Kernan served as an Engineering Officer, completed deployments to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions and was designated a Surface Warfare Officer. Upon completion of his initial tour with the Surface Warfare community, Kernan transferred to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and subsequently completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training class 117 in 1982. Following SEAL Tactical Training and completion of six month probationary period, he received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the SEAL Trident. He commanded Platoons at Underwater Demolition Team 12, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, and SEAL Team FIVE. Additionally while assigned to SEAL Team 5, he served as Detachment Officer-in-Charge of four deployed SEAL platoons and Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Task Force, Middle East Force. He served his executive officer tour at Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 in Naval Station Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Kernan has served as the Naval Special Warfare Officer Detailer and Community Manager, Deputy/Chief Staff Officer, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Chief of Staff and Deputy, Naval Special Warfare Command and Director, Naval Special Warfare Branch on the Navy Staff. Kernan commanded SEAL Team 2 from 1994 to 1996 and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 1999 to Aug 2003. His joint assignments include Deputy Director and Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Director of Operations, Center for Special Operations, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida. Kernan assumed duties as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command in June 2007. On April 24, 2008, Admiral Gary Roughead, the Chief of Naval Operations, announced that the United States Fourth Fleet would be re-established, effective July 1, with responsibility for United States Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean Sea, as well as throughout Central and South America, with Kernan as the fleet commander, as well as Commander, United States Naval Forces Southern Command, the naval component of the United States Southern Command. Kernan became the first Navy SEAL to serve as a numbered fleet commander. On May 19, 2009, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that President Barack Obama had selected Kernan for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He assumed the assignment in June 2009. In May 2011, he was assigned as deputy commander United States Southern Command until his retirement in September 2013.
Later career
After his military retirement, Kernan served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for SAP National Security Services. On July 17, 2017, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Kernan to the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on November 16, 2017.
Business activities and board memberships
Kernan also serves as the chairman of NS2 Serves, a "veteran training and employment program," as well as on the board of directors for both the National Navy SEAL Museum and The Mission Continues, a nonprofit founded by former Missouri governor and former SEAL, Eric Greitens.
Personal life
Kernan and his wife, Janet, have two children: Sean and Shannon.
