John M. Richardson (admiral)

John Richardson
John Richardson
Born	1960 (age 63–64)
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1982–present
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion; Commander, Naval Submarine Forces in Norfolk, Virginia; Submarine Group 8; USS Honolulu
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal (3); Legion of Merit (4); Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership

John M. Richardson (born 1960) is an admiral in the United States Navy and the current Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. Admiral Richardson and his wife, Dana, have 5 children: Nathan, who is a Lieutenant in the US Navy, Daniel, Rachel, Matthew, and Veronica.

He assumed his current posting on November 2, 2012 upon the retirement of Admiral Kirkland H. Donald.^[1]^[2]^[3] As Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, Richardson also serves as Deputy Administrator for NNSA's Office of Naval Reactors.^[4] While serving as Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion (itself a joint Department of Energy and Department of Navy organization), Richardson is responsible for the command and safe, reliable operation of the United States Navy's nuclear propulsion program and for all the current United States naval reactors deployed for usage as well as all facilities needed to ensure safe operations. On May 13, 2015, United States Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, announced Richardson's nomination to succeed Admiral Jonathan Greenert as Chief of Naval Operations.^[2] Richardson began serving as the 31st Chief of Naval Operations September 18, 2015.^[5]

Military career

Richardson was commissioned into the United States Navy upon his graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1982.^[6] During his tenure, Richardson has served primarily with submarine operations, serving on the USS Parche, the USS Salt Lake City, and the USS George C. Marshall. Prior to being Director of Nuclear Propulsion, Richardson headed the U.S. Navy's Atlantic submarine force, COMSUBLANT, where he was relieved by Michael J. Connor. Richardson has also commanded the USS Honolulu, Submarine Group 8, and Submarine Allied Naval Forces South. Richardson served as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Naval Forces Europe as well as U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Naval Aide to the President of the United States and Director of Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command.^[6] Richardson also attended and received master's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the National War College.^[4] On Wednesday, May 13, 2015, ADM Richardson was nominated by President Obama to be the Chief of Naval Operations.^[7]

Awards

In 2001,^[8] Richardson received the James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award.^[6] Richardson also served with units that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Citation, and the Battle Efficiency E.^[6]

Military awards and decorations

Submarine Warfare insignia

Silver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia with two gold stars

Presidential Service Badge

Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

	Navy Distinguished Service Medal
	Defense Superior Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
	Legion of Merit (with three gold award stars)
	Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold award stars)
	Navy Commendation Medal (with three gold award stars)
	Navy Achievement Medal (with one gold award star)
	Navy Presidential Unit Citation
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award
	Navy Unit Commendation (with one bronze service star)
	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
	Navy "E" Ribbon (with a Wreathed Battle "E" device)
	Navy Expeditionary Medal
	National Defense Service Medal (with a bronze service star)
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with four bronze service stars)
	Order of Naval Merit (Brazil), Commander^[9]