James F. Caldwell Jr.
James F. Caldwell Jr. | |
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Born | Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States | March 24, 1959
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1981–present |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held | Director, Naval Reactors Naval Inspector General Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet Submarine Group 9 USS Jacksonville (SSN-699) |
Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (3) |
James Franklin "Frank" Caldwell Jr. (born March 24, 1959) is an admiral in the United States Navy who currently serves as director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a job once held by the program's creator, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.[1][2] He previously served as Naval Inspector General.[3]
Caldwell is currently the Navy's Old Goat, the longest serving United States Naval Academy graduate on active duty, having received the award and accompanying title from Admiral William K. Lescher on August 31, 2022.[4]
Caldwell received his commission graduating with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering; he is a fifth-generation Academy graduate. He holds a Master of Science in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School.[5]
Caldwell’s early sea tours include serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. His operational assignments include duty as a division officer on USS Boston (SSN-703), engineering officer on USS Alabama (SSBN-731) (GOLD), and executive officer on USS Buffalo (SSN-715).
Caldwell commanded USS Jacksonville (SSN-699) home ported in Norfolk, Virginia; Submarine Development Squadron 12 in New London, Connecticut; and Submarine Group 9 in Bangor, Washington. In his most recent afloat command, he commanded SUBPAC (Submarine Forces Pacific) as COMSUBPAC.
Ashore, Caldwell served on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, and later as Undersea Warfare Requirements officer on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He also served as senior member of the Naval Submarine Force’s Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team, on the Joint Staff as deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs for Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia and Africa, and deputy commander for U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike in Omaha, Nebraska.[6][7]
On August 5, 2015, Caldwell was confirmed by the US Senate to become admiral. Caldwell assumed his duties as the seventh director of Naval Reactors on August 14, 2015, normally an eight-year term.[2]
Awards and decorations
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | |
Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster | |
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Legion of Merit with two award stars |
Meritorious Service Medal with one gold award star | |
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Navy Commendation Medal with three gold award stars |
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Navy Achievement Medal with two gold award stars |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
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Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three bronze service stars |
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Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E awards |
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Navy Expeditionary Medal with two service stars |
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
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Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze service stars |
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Navy Arctic Service Ribbon |
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Special Operations Service Ribbon |
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Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device |
References
- ^ "Pentagon Names Next Director of Naval Nuclear Reactors". 8 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Change of Command". Archived from the original on 2018-09-21. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
- ^ "United States Navy Biography, Vice Admiral James F. Caldwell Jr., Naval Inspector General". Archived from the original on 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
- ^ "ADM William Lescher '80 passed the Old Goat Award to ADM Frank Caldwell '81 during an unofficial ceremony this month at the U.S. Naval War College". LinkedIn. United States Naval Academy. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ "Navy.mil Leadership Biographies". Archived from the original on 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
- ^ http://archive.navytimes.com/article/20130807/CAREERS03/308070046/Pacific-Fleet-s-submarine-force-gets-new-commander[bare URL]
- ^ "Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Holds Change of Command Ceremony - U.S. Strategic Command". Archived from the original on 2016-10-28.
External links
This article incorporates public domain material from United States Navy Biography, Vice Admiral James F. Caldwell Jr., Naval Inspector General. United States Navy. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
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