Punching Out

Navy Under Secretary Robert Work is stepping down as the sea service's second-ranking civilian leader and will take over as chief executive officer of the Center for a New American Security, the Washington think tank announced this morning.

Work will move to CNAS on April 22 after having served as under secretary since May 2009.

"Bob Work is in the very front ranks of those thinking about and working to strengthen our national security," said CNAS Chairman of the Board of Directors and former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig. "More than a thought leader, he is also a widely admired leader in all dimensions. His qualities of character combine with qualities of mind to make him a worthy successor to Nate Fick and CNAS co-founders Kurt Campbell and Michèle Flournoy as the new head of CNAS. We are delighted to have him."

Work graduated from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Course at the University of Illinois, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1974. He spent 27 years in the Marine Corps and upon retirement stayed involved in military affairs through his work at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He led the Navy issues team for President Obama's Defense Department Transition Team after the 2008 elections and then was appointed to the role of Navy under secretary.

"Since its inception in 2007, CNAS has established a reputation for innovative, pragmatic and bi-partisan thinking about national security affairs," Work said in a CNAS statement. "I am both honored and excited at the prospect of leading such a great organization, and working with superb people like Richard Danzig, Michèle Flournoy, Richard Armitage, Richard Fontaine and Shawn Brimley to take CNAS to the next level."