James F. Caldwell Jr.

Last updated
James F. Caldwell Jr.
ADM James Caldwell 2015.jpg
Born (1959-03-24) March 24, 1959 (age 65)
Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1981–2024
Rank Admiral
Commands
Awards
Alma mater
RelationsAdmiral Jehu V. Chase (great-grandfather) [1]

James Franklin "Frank" Caldwell Jr. (born March 24, 1959) is a retired admiral in the United States Navy who last served as director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a job once held by the program's creator, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. [2] [3] He previously served as Naval Inspector General. [4]

Contents

From August 31, 2022 to his retirement, Caldwell was 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. [5]

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. [6]

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. [7] [8]

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. [3]

Awards and decorations

Submarine Officer badge.jpg
1 golden star.svg
1 golden star.svg
Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
1 golden star.svg
1 golden star.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
1 golden star.svg
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
1 golden star.svg
1 golden star.svg
1 golden star.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg
1 golden star.svg
1 golden star.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 3rd award.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.svg Special Operations Service Ribbon.svg United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with sharpshooter device.svg
Silver Deterrent Patrol badge.jpg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg
Navy CaS.png
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal (2).svg
Officer Submarine Warfare insignia
Navy Distinguished Service Medal with 2 gold award stars
Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with 2 gold award stars Meritorious Service Medal with gold award star
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold award stars Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold award stars Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with 3 bronze service stars Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E awards Navy Expeditionary Medal with 2 bronze service stars
National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 3 bronze service stars
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with sharpshooter device
Silver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia (5 awards)
Command at Sea insignia
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Greeneville</i> Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Greeneville is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), and the only vessel in United States Navy history to be named after Greeneville, Tennessee. The contract to build the boat was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, on 14 December 1988, and her keel was laid down on 28 February 1992. She was launched on 17 September 1994, sponsored by Tipper Gore, and commissioned on 16 February 1996.

USS <i>Nautilus</i> (SSN-571) First nuclear-powered submarine of the US Navy, in service from 1954 to 1980

USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine and on 3 August 1958 became the first submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole. Her initial commanding officer was Eugene "Dennis" Wilkinson, a widely respected naval officer who set the stage for many of the protocols of today's Nuclear Navy of the US, and who had a storied career during military service and afterwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles R. Larson</span>

Charles Robert Larson was an Admiral of the United States Navy.

USS <i>Hampton</i> (SSN-767) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Hampton (SSN-767), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to bear this name. The earlier Hamptons were given their names for varying reasons, but SSN-767 was specifically named for four cities: Hampton, Virginia; Hampton, Iowa; Hampton, South Carolina; and Hampton, New Hampshire. There are 14 more "Hampton" towns in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce E. Grooms</span>

Bruce Estes Grooms, is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy. His last duty station before retirement was as Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development at Allied Command Transformation. He retired in June 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirkland H. Donald</span> Retired U.S. Navy admiral

Kirkland Hogue "Kirk" Donald is a retired Admiral in the United States Navy, who in his last assignment served as the dual-hatted position of Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion and Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. Donald previously served as Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander, Submarine Allied Command, Atlantic. He retired from active duty on November 2, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Greenert</span> Retired U.S. Navy admiral, 30th Chief of Naval Operations

Jonathan William Greenert is a former United States Navy admiral who served as the 30th Chief of Naval Operations from September 23, 2011, to September 18, 2015. He previously served as the 36th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from August 13, 2009, to August 22, 2011. Prior to that, he served as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from September 29, 2007, to July 29, 2009, deputy chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources from September 2006 to September 2007, and commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet from August 2004 to September 2006. He retired from the navy after over 40 years of service. In March 2016, the National Bureau of Asian Research announced that Greenert would become the third holder of the John M. Shalikashvili Chair in National Security Studies at NBR. In April 2016, Greenert was appointed to the board of directors for BAE Systems for a three-year term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene Parks Wilkinson</span> US Navy officer

Eugene Parks "Dennis" Wilkinson was a United States Navy officer. He was selected for three historic command assignments. The first, in 1954, was as the first commanding officer of USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. The second was as the first commanding officer of USS Long Beach, America's first nuclear surface ship. The third was in 1980 when he was chosen as the first President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) from which he retired in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffrey Fowler</span> United States admiral

Jeffrey L. Fowler is a United States Navy vice admiral who served as the 60th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy until his retirement in August 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet</span> Advisor to U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander on submarine matters

The Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) is the principal advisor to the Commander, United States Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) for submarine matters. The Pacific Submarine Force (SUBPAC) includes attack, ballistic missile and auxiliary submarines, submarine tenders, floating submarine docks, deep submergence vehicles and submarine rescue vehicles throughout the Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John C. Harvey Jr.</span>

John Collins Harvey Jr. is a former United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the 31st Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command from July 24, 2009 to September 14, 2012. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff (N09B) from March 24, 2008 to July 23, 2009. Prior to that, he served as the 54th Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N1) from November 2005 to April 2008. He retired from the navy after more than 39 years of service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinnaird R. McKee</span> United States admiral

Kinnaird Rowe McKee was an American United States Navy four star admiral who served as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion from 1982 to 1988. He also served as Superintendent, United States Naval Academy from 1975 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry G. Chiles Jr.</span>

Henry Goodman Chiles Jr. is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Commander in Chief, United States Strategic Command (USCINCSTRAT), from 1994 to 1996, the first naval officer to command all of the strategic nuclear forces of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce DeMars</span> American admiral (1935–2024)

Bruce DeMars was a United States Navy four star admiral who served as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion from 1988 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert P. Burke</span> US Navy admiral

Robert Peter Burke is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the commander of United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples from 17 July 2020 to 27 June 2022. He was the 58th Chief of Naval Personnel from 27 May 2016 to 23 May 2019 and Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 10 June 2019 until 29 May 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James G. Foggo III</span>

James Gordon Foggo III is a retired United States Navy admiral who last served as commander of United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. He previously served as the director of Navy Staff. Prior to that, he served as the commander of United States Sixth Fleet. He assumed his last assignment on October 20, 2017. On July 17, 2020, he relinquished command of United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command Naples to Admiral Robert P. Burke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alma M. Grocki</span>

Alma M. Grocki is a retired United States Navy rear admiral. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1981, she served in a succession of warship and submarine maintenance postings before transferring to the United States Navy Reserve in 1988. Grocki commanded various U.S. Navy facilities, shipyards and programs before becoming director of fleet maintenance for the United States Pacific Fleet and deputy commander of Naval Sea Systems Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillip G. Sawyer</span> United States Navy Vice admiral

Phillip Grayson Sawyer is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy, who served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy from October 10, 2019, to August 6, 2021. He previously served as commander for naval mine and anti-submarine warfare, and commander of United States Seventh Fleet, stationed at Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy B. Crites</span> U.S. Navy Vice admiral

Randy B. Crites is a retired vice admiral of the United States Navy. He last served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources from May 15, 2020, to 2023. He previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget, and as director of the Fiscal Management Division in Washington, D.C., until he was promoted to the rank of vice admiral in 2020. Prior he served as the Director of OPNAV N81 Assessments Division, as Director of the Maritime Headquarters at United States Pacific Fleet, as Commander Submarine Group 10, and as Commanding officer of USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) and USS Florida (SSGN-728).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daryl Caudle</span> U.S. Navy admiral

Daryl Lane Caudle is a United States Navy admiral who is the 35th commander of United States Fleet Forces Command since December 7, 2021. He most recently served as commander of Naval Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) and Commander, Allied Submarine Command (ASC). As COMSUBFOR, he was the undersea domain lead, and is responsible for the submarine force's strategic vision. As COMSUBLANT, he commanded all Atlantic-based U.S. submarines, their crews and supporting shore activities. These responsibilities also include duties as commander, Task Force (CTF) 114, CTF 88, and CTF 46. As commander, Allied Submarine Command, he was the principal undersea warfare advisor to all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) strategic commanders.

References

  1. Patterson, Michael Robert (2023-01-11). "James Franklin Caldwell, Sr. - Captain, United States Navy". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  2. "Pentagon Names Next Director of Naval Nuclear Reactors". 8 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Change of Command". Archived from the original on 2018-09-21. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
  4. "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.
  5. "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.
  6. "Navy.mil Leadership Biographies". Archived from the original on 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
  7. Pacific fleet's submarine force gets new commander [ permanent dead link ]
  8. "Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Holds Change of Command Ceremony - U.S. Strategic Command". Archived from the original on 2016-10-28.

PD-icon.svg 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.

Military offices
Preceded by Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
2010–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Naval Inspector General
2013–2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program
2015–2024
Succeeded by