Daryl Caudle

Daryl Caudle
Born	1963 (age 61–62) Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1985–present
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Chief of Naval Operations United States Fleet Forces Command Submarine Force Atlantic Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Allied Submarine Command Task Force 114 Task Force 88 Task Force 46 Task Force 134 Submarine Squadron 3 USS Helena (SSN-725) USS Topeka (SSN-754) USS Jefferson City (SSN-759)
Battles / wars	Operation Inherent Resolve Operation Odyssey Lightning
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (4) Legion of Merit (4)
Alma mater	North Carolina State University (BS) Naval Postgraduate School (MS) Old Dominion University (MS) University of Phoenix (DM)

Daryl Lane Caudle (born 1963) is a United States Navy admiral who serves as the 34th Chief of Naval Operations since 25 August 2025. ^[1] Prior to this, he most recently served as the 35th commander of United States Fleet Forces Command from 2021 to 2025. ^[2] Before that he served as commander of Naval Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic, and Allied Submarine Command, from 2019 to 2021.

Caudle was born in North Carolina. He was commissioned from the Officer Candidate School in 1985, and holds degrees in the fields of engineering and physics from North Carolina State University, Old Dominion University, the University of Phoenix, and the Naval Postgraduate School. As a submarine officer he has commanded three nuclear-powered submarines during his career. His other posts have included commander of the Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, and Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff (J-5) in Washington, D.C. He is also a licensed professional engineer.

Early life and education

Caudle was born in 1963 ^[3] in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1985. He was commissioned in the Navy after completing his training from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. ^[4] He holds advanced academic degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School where he graduated with distinction with a Master of Science in Physics in 1992 ^[5] and from Old Dominion University with a Master of Science in engineering management. He also graduated from the School of Advanced Studies, a branch of University of Phoenix, where he obtained his doctor of management in organizational leadership with a specialization in information systems and technology. ^[4]

Caudle's published dissertation focused on military decision-making uncertainty while considering the use of force in cyberspace. He is also a professional engineer. ^[6]

On December 4, 2020, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) at North Carolina State University awarded him the CBE Distinguished Alumni Award. ^[7]

Naval career

Adm. Caudle relieves Adm. Christopher W. Grady as commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command on 7 December 2021

Caudle served at various posts during his sea tour assignments such as division officer, USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656), engineer of USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634) and USS Sand Lance (SSN-660) as well as serving as executive officer of USS Montpelier (SSN-765). His first command assignment was as commanding officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN-759). While appointed to the Submarine Squadron 11 as deputy commander, he served as commanding officer of USS Topeka (SSN-754) and USS Helena (SSN-725). He also commanded Submarine Squadron 3 as Commodore. ^[6]

Caudle's tours ashore include assignments as assistant force nuclear power officer, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Officer-in-Charge of Moored Training Ship (MTS 635); deputy commander of Submarine Squadron 11; assistant deputy director for information and cyberspace policy on the Joint Staff (J-5) in Washington, D.C.; and chief of staff, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. ^[6]

Caudle's other flag assignments include deputy chief for security cooperation, Office of the Defense Representative, Pakistan where he directly supported coalition forces for Operation Enduring Freedom; deputy commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike; deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; director of operations U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa; commander, Submarine Group Eight, where he directed combat strikes using the first ever dual Carrier operations with allies in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He also designed the plan and directed combat sorties for Operation Odyssey Lightning to counter violent extremists in Libya; and commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. ^[4] After that, he was vice director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff (J-5) in Washington, D.C. ^[8]

Caudle at the change of command ceremony for Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, in February 2019.

In August 2019, Caudle became commander, Naval Submarine Forces; commander, Submarine Force Atlantic; and commander, Allied Submarine Command. In these posts he was responsible for providing strategic guidance for the submarine force, commanding all Atlantic-based submarine forces, and serving as the main advisor to NATO on submarine warfare. He was also in that role during the Navy's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He relinquished command in September 2021. ^[9]

In July 2021, he was nominated and confirmed for promotion to four-star admiral to succeed Christopher W. Grady as commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command. ^{[10] [11]} He became the head of Fleet Forces Command, which provides Navy forces to unified combatant commanders, ^[9] in December 2021. ^[4] In that position he was also simultaneously the commander of Naval Forces, U.S. Northern Command, and Naval Forces, U.S. Strategic Command. ^[4]

In 2023 and 2025, he was among the candidates under consideration to become the chief of naval operations. In the first instance, Lisa Franchetti was chosen by President Joe Biden. In June 2025, he was nominated to serve as the chief of naval operations by President Donald Trump, replacing James Kilby, who has been the acting chief since Franchetti was removed by Trump in February. ^{[12] [13] [14]} Caudle relinquished command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command on 6 August 2025; his deputy, Vice Admiral John Gumbleton, succeeded him as acting commander. ^[15]

Awards and decorations

Personal decorations Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters Legion of Merit with three gold award stars Meritorious Service Medal with two award stars Navy Commendation Medal with four award stars Navy Achievement Medal with three award stars Unit Awards Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters Navy Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E devices Campaign and service medals Navy Expeditionary Medal with service star National Defense Service Medal with service star Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with seven service stars Navy Arctic Service Ribbon Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with two service stars Special Operations Service Ribbon with service star Foreign and international awards Brazilian Order of Naval Merit, Commander [16] Peruvian Order of Naval Merit, Grand Cross [17] NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with service star Marksmanship awards Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

Other accoutrements Submarine Warfare insignia (Officer) Silver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia (7 awards) Command at Sea insignia Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Personal life

Caudle is married to Donna Caudle, with whom they have two daughters, two stepdaughters, three grandsons, and two granddaughters. Two of his sons-in-law are active duty military, one in the Navy and one in the Marine Corps. He lives in Norfolk, Virginia. ^[7]

References

1. "Admiral Daryl Caudle". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
2. "United States Navy Officer Flag Roster, December 2021 (Public)" (PDF). MyNavyHR. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
3. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1 October 1990. p. 114. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
4. "Admiral Daryl Caudle". Navy.mil. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
5. Graduation Exercises (PDF). Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School. 17 December 1992. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
6. "Rear Admiral Daryl L. Caudle". Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
7. "Honoring the 2020 CBE Distinguished Alumni – Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering". NC State University. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
8. "Adm. Daryl Caudle". U.S. Fleet Forces Command. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
9. "SUBMARINE FORCE HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND". Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic. 10 September 2021.
10. "PN820 — Vice Adm. Daryl L. Caudle — Navy". U.S. Congress. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
11. "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
12. Detsch, Jack; Gould, Joe; Lippman, Daniel (14 April 2025). "'Honey badger' admiral emerges as top contender for Navy chief". Politico .
13. Mitchell, Ellen (18 June 2025). "Trump nominates next chief of naval operations, Joint Chiefs vice chair". The Hill . Retrieved 19 June 2025.
14. "Secretary of Defense Flag Officer Announcement for June 18, 2025". U.S. Department of Defense.
15. "Adm. Caudle Relinquishes Command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command". U.S. Navy. Norfolk, Virginia. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
16. "Commander, Submarine Forces Hosts Brazilian Delegation".
17. @COMSUBLANT (21 July 2021). "Vice Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander, U.S. Submarine Forces, received the Cruz Peruana al Mérito Naval from Ambassador…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

Military offices
Preceded by ???	Commander of Submarine Squadron 3 2009–2011	Succeeded by James Childs
Preceded by Scott Kindsvater	Deputy Chief for Security Cooperations of the Office of the Defense Representative–Pakistan 2013–2014	Succeeded by Scott E. Brower
Preceded by Richard J. Evans III	Deputy Commander of Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike 2014–2015	Succeeded by Thomas Ishee
Preceded by Robert P. Burke	Director of Operations of the United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Deputy Commander of the United States Sixth Fleet, and Commander of Submarine Group 8 2015–2017
Preceded by Fritz Roegge	Commander of Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet 2017–2019	Succeeded by Blake Converse
Preceded by David W. Allvin	Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff 2019	Succeeded by Michael R. Fenzel
Preceded by Charles A. Richard	Commander of Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic, and Allied Submarine Command 2019–2021	Succeeded by William J. Houston
Preceded by Christopher W. Grady	Commander of United States Fleet Forces Command 2021–2025	Succeeded by John Gumbleton Acting