Vice Admiral Joseph Edward Tofalo[1] is a United States Naval officer. Until 3 August 2018,[2] he served as: Commander Submarine Forces; Commander Submarine Force Atlantic; Commander Task Force 144; Commander Task Force 84; Commander Allied Submarine Command.

Joseph E. Tofalo
VADM Joe Tofalo
Nickname(s)Joe
Born (1962-01-18) January 18, 1962 (age 62)
San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1983–2018
RankVice Admiral
Commands heldUSS Maine (SSBN-741)
Submarine Squadron 3
Submarine Group 10
U.S. Submarine Force
AwardsLegion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Capt. Joe E. Tofalo makes his final remarks as commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 3

Early life and education edit

Joseph Tofalo was born to Margaret Tofalo,[3] a member of the United States Navy WAVES,[4] and United States Navy Captain Francis Tofalo.[5] Tofalo grew up in Upstate New York. As a youth he became an Eagle Scout and was named the American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year in 1977.[6]

Tofalo graduated from the United States Naval Academy with distinction in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.[7] He also has a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Catholic University of America.

Naval career edit

Tofalo was a career submariner. He has served on USS Flasher (SSN-613), USS Michigan (SSBN-727), and USS Montpelier (SSN-765). He served as commanding officer of USS Maine (SSBN-741) and Commander, Submarine Squadron Three.[7]

Tofalo's shore assignments include being an aide to the Superintendent of the Naval Academy, serving on the Chief of Naval Operations staff and Joint Staff, and being assigned to the United States Joint Forces Command Joint War Fighting Center. He served as senior member of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation team and Prospective Commanding Officer Instructor for the Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic. After major command, Tofalo served as executive assistant to the commander, Fleet Forces Command, and as executive assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.[7]

Tofalo was selected for Rear Admiral (Lower Half) in December 2009. His first flag assignment was as assistant deputy chief of Staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations (N3B), U.S. Fleet Forces Command.[7]

Tofalo became the 14th Commander, Submarine Group 10 on 5 August 2011.[8] In December 2013 he relieved as director, undersea warfare division, N97, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.

On 11 September 2015 he relieved as Commander, Submarine Forces; Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic; Commander, Task Force 144; Commander, Task Force 84; and Commander, Allied Submarine Command, Norfolk, Virginia. On 3 August 2018, he was relieved as Commander, Submarine Forces &c. by Vice Adm. Charles A. Richard.

References edit

  1. ^ "PN471 — Navy". U.S. Congress. 2 August 1991. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  2. ^ Pickrell, Ryan (8 August 2018). "'We shall not fail!' — The US Navy's new submarine fleet commander vows to take on Russia and China". Business Insider. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Margaret 'Peggy' Tofalo". Hibbing Daily Tribune. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Margaret Tofalo Obituary". Observer-Dispatch. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Francis Tofalo". AncientFaces. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Past American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year Winners". American Legion. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d "Rear Admiral Joseph E. Tofalo Commander, Submarine Group 10". United States Navy. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Group 10 changes command | Kings Bay Periscope". Kingsbayperiscope.jacksonville.com. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2013.

External links edit

  Media related to Joseph E. Tofalo at Wikimedia Commons