Joseph A. Benkert is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 citizen who served as an officer in the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

, and as an appointed official in the George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

 Administration. Currently he serves as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Security Affairs.

Benkert is notable for testifying before the United States Congress

United States Congress

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....

.

Personal life

Joseph Benkert is married to Gail, and together have two children Stephen and Suzanne.

Naval career

Captain Joseph A. Benkert was named in the lawsuit David Alan Carmichael v. United States. Benkert was Carmichael's commanding officer, and, according to Carmichael's complaint, shared responsibility for his dismissal without proper cause.

Forum participant evaluating Iraqi reconstruction

In March 2007 Benkert participated in a forum evaluating the problems that plagued American efforts to help reconstruct Iraq.

Congressional testimony on the use of gas

On September 27, 2006, while serving as the
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
for International Security Policy, Benkert testified before the Senate Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support.
Executive Order 11850

Executive Order 11850

Executive Order 11850--Renunciation of certain uses in war of chemical herbicides and riot control agents. was signed on April 8, 1975, by United States President Gerald Ford....

, signed in 1975, proscribed the USA from using chemical weapons.
According to Benkert, it was the position of the Bush Presidency that riot control agents, like tear gas, should not be considered chemical weapons.

Congressional testimony on Guantanamo captives

In early May 2007 Benkert and two other officials testified before Congress that 30 released Guantanamo captives had returned to the battlefield.

Press releases

On May 9, 2007 Benkert was quoted on the future of the Guantanamo detainees:
On April 11, 2007 Benkert was quoted commenting on a facility to destroy American and former Soviet era nerve gas.