Jeffrey L. Fowler (born May 25, 1956) 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.[1]

Jeffrey L. Fowler
Born (1956-05-25) May 25, 1956 (age 67)
Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy Seal United States Navy
Years of service1974–2010
Rank Vice admiral
Commands heldUSS Charlotte (SSN-766)
Submarine Squadron Three
Submarine Group Eight
Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South
Task Forces 164/69
Naval Recruiting Command
Battles/warsWar on Terrorism
Cold War
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3 awards)
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards)
Navy Achievement Medal
Vice Admiral Jeff Fowler assuming command of the U.S. Naval Academy, 2007.

Early life and career edit

Born in May 1956 and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, he received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1978. Following a successful interview with Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, he was subsequently trained in the Navy's nuclear propulsion and submarine programs.[2]

Fowler served at sea as a junior officer aboard Bremerton (SSN-698), as Engineer Officer for Alaska (SSBN-732), and as executive officer for the Pre-commissioning Unit Montpelier (SSN-765) and Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709). He commanded Charlotte (SSN-766) and Submarine Squadron Three, responsible for eight nuclear-powered fast attack submarines. Fowler has deployed to the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans, and the Persian Gulf.[2]

Ashore, Fowler served as a submarine tactics instructor at Naval Submarine Training Center, Pacific; as a junior member on the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board on the staff of the commander in chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; as the head, Submarine Programs Section of the Programming Division (N80) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations; deputy executive assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N8) and the vice chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Pacific submarine force prospective commanding officer instructor; and as the executive assistant to the commander, U.S. Strategic Command.[2]

Flag officer edit

Following selection to flag officer, Fowler served as commander, Navy Recruiting Command and director, Naval Europe/Sixth Fleet plans and operations; deputy commander, United States Sixth Fleet; Commander Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South; commander, Submarine Group 8; and commander, Task Forces 164/69.[2] Fowler relieved Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt as superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy on June 8, 2007.

In August 2007, Fowler unveiled new plans for the Naval Academy, stating that the school was focusing too much on extracurriculars. Some of the new changes include mandatory study time each night for all midshipmen, secured all weekday liberty (which seniors had Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Juniors Tuesday and Friday), and mandatory meals Sunday night through Friday night. Fowler stressed, however, that the academy was not in a state of emergency, and that these changes were merely to keep the recent graduates ready to enter into wartime service. He cast the changes as having more to do with preparing future Navy and Marine officers for wartime duty than with cracking down on misbehavior.

We are a nation at war," he said. "If any campus should understand being a nation at war, it's the United States Naval Academy.[3]

Retirement edit

Fowler stepped down as superintendent of the Naval Academy in August 2010 (30 days earlier than his scheduled relief) amidst controversy over financial irregularities at the academy as well as multiple honor-code violations by USNA midshipmen.[4] He was succeeded by in this post by Vice Admiral Michael H. Miller.[5]

His wife, Katie Fowler, is sponsor of the new Virginia-class submarine USS North Dakota (SSN-784).[6]

In April 2021, Golden Key Group announced Fowler's promotion to president of the Reston, Virginia-based professional services company.[7]

Education edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Naval Academy superintendent ends his watch". The Capital. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "US Navy Biographies : Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Fowler". navy.mil. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  3. ^ Vogel, Steve (2007-08-18). "Naval Academy Sets Tough Wartime Rules". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 August 2007.
  4. ^ "CNO forces out Naval Academy Superintendent". Navy Times. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  5. ^ "Naval Academy welcomes new superintendent". Navy Times. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  6. ^ Cavas, Christopher (3 October 2013). "New Ship News – Sub launched, Carrier prepped, LCS delivered". Defense News. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013.
  7. ^ Chelednik, Noah (8 April 2021). "Jeffrey Fowler Becomes First President of Golden Key Group; Gretchen McCracken Quoted - ExecutiveBiz". Executive Biz. Executive Mosaic. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

External links edit

  Media related to Jeffrey Fowler at Wikimedia Commons

Academic offices
Preceded by Superintendent of United States Naval Academy
2007 – 2010
Succeeded by