# James F. Reilly
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{{Short description|American astronaut and geologist (born 1954)}}
{{other people|James Reilly}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jim Reilly
| image = Jim Reilly official photo.jpg
| caption = Reilly in 2018
| office = Director of the United States Geological Survey
| president = [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump)
| term_start = May 14, 2018
| term_end = January 20, 2021
| predecessor = [Suzette Kimball](/source/Suzette_Kimball)
| successor = [Dave Applegate](/source/David_Applegate_(geologist))
| birth_name = James Francis Reilly II
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|3|18}}
| birth_place = [Mountain Home Air Force Base](/source/Mountain_Home_Air_Force_Base), [Idaho](/source/Idaho), U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = [University of Texas, Dallas](/source/University_of_Texas%2C_Dallas) ([BS](/source/Bachelor_of_Science), [MS](/source/Master_of_Science), [PhD](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy))
| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
| branch = {{navy|United States}}
| unit = [United States Navy Reserve](/source/United_States_Navy_Reserve)
| mawards = {{collapsible list
|titlestyle= background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
|title= See list}}
| module = {{Infobox astronaut
|child = yes
|image = James Reilly.jpg
|type = [NASA astronaut](/source/NASA_astronaut)
|time = 35d 10h 34m
|selection = [NASA Group 15 (1994)](/source/NASA_Astronaut_Group_15)
|mission = [STS-89](/source/STS-89)
[STS-104](/source/STS-104)
[STS-117](/source/STS-117)
|insignia = 40px 45px 40px
|module = {{Infobox scientist
|child = yes
|fields = [Geology](/source/Geology)
|workplaces = {{ubl|[NASA](/source/NASA)|[U.S. Geological Survey](/source/U.S._Geological_Survey)}}
|thesis_title = Geological Controls on the Distribution of Chemosynthetic Communities in the Gulf of Mexico
|thesis_url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/304265352/
|thesis_year = 1995
|doctoral_advisor = Richard Mitterer}}}}
| order = 17th
}}
'''James Francis Reilly II''' (born March 18, 1954) is an American [geologist](/source/geologist), retired [astronaut](/source/astronaut), and honorary [United States Marshal](/source/United_States_Marshals_Service) who served as the 17th [director of the U.S. Geological Survey](/source/director_of_the_U.S._Geological_Survey) from 2018 to 2021.[{{cite web |last=Hawley |first=Eileen |date=June 1, 2001 |title=Astronaut James Reilly to Become Honorary U.S. Marshal |url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/1999_2001/j01-59.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003052551/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/1999_2001/j01-59.html |archive-date=2018-10-03 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=NASA News |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |place=[Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center](/source/Lyndon_B._Johnson_Space_Center)}}] He flew on three [Space Shuttle](/source/Space_Shuttle) missions with the [NASA Astronaut Corps](/source/NASA_Astronaut_Corps): [STS-89](/source/STS-89), [STS-104](/source/STS-104) and [STS-117](/source/STS-117).
==Early life and education==
Reilly was born at [Mountain Home Air Force Base](/source/Mountain_Home_Air_Force_Base), [Idaho](/source/Idaho), on March 18, 1954, though considers his hometown to be [Mesquite, Texas](/source/Mesquite%2C_Texas). He graduated from [Lake Highlands High School](/source/Lake_Highlands_High_School_(Dallas%2C_TX)) in [Dallas, Texas](/source/Dallas) in 1972.[{{Cite web |date=May 2008 |title=James F. Reilly, II (Ph.D.) |url=https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/reilly_james.pdf |website=Biographical Data |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |place= [Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center](/source/Lyndon_B._Johnson_Space_Center)}}] He has received three degrees in [geosciences](/source/geosciences) from the [University of Texas at Dallas](/source/University_of_Texas_at_Dallas):[{{Cite web |last=Siegfried |first=Amanda |date=Winter 2019 |title=Former Astronaut Confirmed as USGS Director |url=https://magazine.utdallas.edu/former-astronaut-confirmed-as-usgs-director/ |website=UT Dallas Magazine |language=en}}] a [Bachelor of Science](/source/Bachelor_of_Science) in 1977, a [Master of Science](/source/Master_of_Science) 1987,[{{cite thesis |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/303609257/ |title=Rubidium/strontium geochronology of the granitic intrusives of the Hobbs Coast region, Marie Byrd Land, west Antarctica |date=1987 |publisher=[The University of Texas at Dallas](/source/The_University_of_Texas_at_Dallas) |type=M.S. |last=Reilly |first=James Francis II |id={{ProQuest|303609257}} |url-access=subscription|oclc=18130902}}] and a [Doctor of Philosophy](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy) in 1995.[{{cite thesis |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/304265352/ |title=Geological controls on the distribution of chemosynthetic communities in the Gulf of Mexico |date=1995 |publisher=[The University of Texas at Dallas](/source/The_University_of_Texas_at_Dallas) |type=Ph.D. |last=Reilly |first=James Francis II |id={{ProQuest|304265352}} |url-access=subscription|oclc=34303675}}]
==Career==
left|thumb|Reilly as a NASA astronaut, holding his Marshal badge
During [graduate school](/source/graduate_school), Reilly was selected to participate in the 1977–1978 scientific expedition to [Marie Byrd Land](/source/Marie_Byrd_Land), [West Antarctica](/source/West_Antarctica), as a research scientist specializing in stable isotope [geochronology](/source/geochronology). In 1979, he started work as an exploration geologist with [Santa Fe Minerals](/source/Santa_Fe_Minerals), in Dallas. From 1980 to the time he was selected for the astronaut program, Reilly was employed as an oil and gas exploration geologist for [Enserch Exploration](/source/Enserch_Exploration), in Dallas, rising to the position of Chief Geologist of the Offshore Region. At the same time, he was involved in applying new imaging technology for industrial applications in deep water engineering projects and biological research. Reilly spent approximately 22 days in deep submergence vehicles operated by [Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution](/source/Harbor_Branch_Oceanographic_Institution) and the [U.S. Navy](/source/United_States_Navy).[[https://www.apus.edu/news-events/news/2010/01.13.10_jim_reilly_joins_apus.htm American Public University Press Release]]
NASA selected Reilly for the astronaut program in December 1994. He reported to the [Johnson Space Center](/source/Lyndon_B._Johnson_Space_Center) in March 1995 and completed a year of training and evaluation, and qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. Initially, he was assigned to work technical issues for the Astronaut Office Computer Support Branch. Reilly flew on [STS-89](/source/STS-89) ([Endeavour](/source/Space_Shuttle_Endeavour)) in 1998, [STS-104](/source/STS-104) ([Atlantis](/source/Space_Shuttle_Atlantis)) in 2001 and [STS-117](/source/STS-117) ([Atlantis](/source/Space_Shuttle_Atlantis)) in 2007. He has logged over 850 hours in space, including five spacewalks (3 on STS-104, 2 on STS-117) totaling 30 hours and 43 minutes. He has worked both on the [ISS](/source/ISS) and [Mir](/source/Mir) space stations. Reilly was next assigned as the Astronaut Office lead on Shuttle training. Concurrent with his crew assignment he is designated as Payloads and Procedures Operations lead for the Astronaut Office ISS Branch.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/reilly_james.pdf |title=NASA biography, James F. Reilly, II (Ph.D.), NASA Astronaut (Former) |publisher=NASA|access-date=May 15, 2021 |date=May 2008}}]
From January 2010 to May 2014, Reilly worked as the [American Public University System](/source/American_Public_University_System)'s Dean of the School of Science and Technology.
In January 2018, U.S. President [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) nominated Reilly to be the director of the [U.S. Geological Survey](/source/U.S._Geological_Survey).[{{cite news |last=Cama |first=Timothy |url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/370957-trump-taps-former-astronaut-to-head-geological-survey/ |title=Trump taps former astronaut to head US Geological Survey |date=January 26, 2018 |work=The Hill |access-date=January 26, 2018}}] The [U.S. Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) confirmed him in April 2018.[{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/1637 |title=PN1637 – James Reilly – Department of the Interior |date=April 9, 2018 |website=U.S. Congress |access-date=April 10, 2018}}]
After leaving government service in 2020, Reilly later joined defense contractor [Booz Allen Hamilton](/source/Booz_Allen_Hamilton) the following year as an executive adviser.[{{citation |url=https://washingtonexec.com/2021/10/retired-astronaut-james-reilly-joins-booz-allen-as-an-executive-advisor/ |title=Retired Astronaut James Reilly Joins Booz Allen as Executive Adviser |date=October 19, 2021 |work=WashingtonExec}}]
==Organizations==
Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Member, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Naval Reserve Association, Tailhook Association, Reserve Officers Association, Association of Space Explorers.
==Special honors==
* US Navy [ROTC](/source/ROTC) scholarship, 1972
* Antarctic Service Medal, 1978
* Seventh Honorary [U.S. Marshal](/source/U.S._Marshal), 2001
==Criticism==
After James Reilly was appointed by President Trump to lead the U.S. Geological Survey he then instructed his office to abandon the traditional practice of using climate models that stretch to the end of the century and instead to only use climate models projecting the impact of climate change through 2040.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.salon.com/2019/05/28/how-the-trump-administration-is-attacking-the-science-behind-global-warming/|title=How the Trump administration is attacking the science behind global warming|last=Rozsa|first=Matthew|date=2019-05-29|work=Salon|access-date=2019-05-29|language=en-US}}][{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/27/us/politics/trump-climate-science.html|title=Trump Administration Hardens Its Attack on Climate Science|last1=Davenport|first1=Coral|date=2019-05-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-27|last2=Landler|first2=Mark|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}]
His statements on the [National Climate Assessment](/source/National_Climate_Assessment) focused on scientific uncertainties rather than directly stating concurrence with opinions expressed by some scientists.[{{Cite news|url=https://psmag.com/news/usgs-director-says-time-is-basically-a-rubber-band|title=The Head of the U.S.'s Earth Sciences Agency Gives Weird Answers to Questions About Climate Change|last=Diep|first=Francie|website=Pacific Standard|date=13 December 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-27}}]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/reilly_james.htm Spacefacts biography of James F. Reilly]
{{s-start}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=[Suzette Kimball](/source/Suzette_Kimball)}}
{{s-ttl|order=17th|title={{nowrap|Director of the [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey)}}|years=2018–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=[Dave Applegate](/source/David_Applegate_(geologist))}}
{{s-end}}
{{USGS Directors}}
{{NASA Astronaut Group 15}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reilly, James Francis II}}
Category:1954 births
Category:Living people
Category:University of Texas at Dallas alumni
Category:American astronauts
Category:United States Geological Survey personnel
Category:United States Navy officers
Category:People from Mesquite, Texas
Category:People from Mountain Home, Idaho
Category:First Trump administration personnel
Category:United States Navy reservists
Category:Space Shuttle program astronauts
Category:Spacewalkers
Category:Mir crew members
Category:Lake Highlands High School alumni
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [James F. Reilly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_F._Reilly) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_F._Reilly?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.