 Mark Edward Kelly is the son of Richard and Patricia Kelly , two retired police officers . He was born on February 21 , 1964 in Orange , New Jersey , and raised in West Orange , New Jersey . Kelly graduated from Mountain High School in 1982 . He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and Nautical Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy , graduating with highest honors in 1986 . In 1994 , he received a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School . 
