Robert Burns Pirie Jr.[1] (born September 10, 1933) is a retired United States Navy officer and politician.

Early in 2001, Pirie served as Acting Secretary of the Navy until the nomination and confirmation of an appointee by President George W. Bush.

[5] Upon retirement from military duty in the Navy as a commander in July 1975,[6] Pirie Jr. joined the newly formed Congressional Budget Office as Deputy Assistant Director in charge of National Security.

In 1977, Pirie became Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics.

He was nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics by President Jimmy Carter in December 1978, and served in that position until January 1981.