# List of United States Navy vice admirals from 2000 to 2009

The rank of vice admiral (or three-star admiral) is the second-highest rank normally achievable in the United States Navy, and the first to have a specified number of appointments set by statute. It ranks above rear admiral (two-star admiral) and below admiral (four-star admiral).
There have been 107 vice admirals in the U.S. Navy from 2000 to 2009, 20 of whom were promoted to four-star admiral. All 107 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Admirals entered the Navy via several paths: 57 were commissioned via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), 29 via Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at a civilian university, 10 via Officer Candidate School (OCS), five via Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), four via direct commission (direct), one via the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), and one via direct commission inter-service transfer from the U.S. Army (USA).

## List of admirals

Entries in the following list of vice admirals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty. Each entry lists the admiral's name, date of rank, active-duty positions held while serving at three-star rank, number of years of active-duty service at three-star rank (Yrs), year commissioned and source of commission, number of years in commission when promoted to three-star rank (YC), and other biographical notes.
List of U.S. Navy vice admirals from 2000 to 2009 :
| # | Name | Date of rank | Position | Yrs | Commission | YC | Notes |
| 1 | Gordon S. Holder | 1 Mar 2000 | Commander, Military Sealift Command (COMMSC), 1999–2001. Director, Logistics, Joint Staff, J4, 2001–2004. | 4 | 1968 (OCS) | 32 | (1946– ) |
| 2 | Joseph W. Dyer Jr. | 30 Jun 2000 | Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIR), 2000–2003. | 3 | 1970 (AOCS) | 30 | (1947– ) |
| 3 | John J. Grossenbacher | 4 Jul 2000 | Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Submarine Allied Command Atlantic/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMSUBLANT/COMSUBACLANT/CTF-84), 2000–2001. Commander, Naval Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Submarine Allied Command Atlantic/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMNAVSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMSUBACLANT/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2001–2003. | 3 | 1970 (USNA) | 30 | (1946– ) |
| 4 | Paul G. Gaffney II | 7 Jul 2000 | President, National Defense University (P-NDU), 2000–2003. | 3 | 1968 (USNA) | 32 | (1946– ) President, Monmouth University, 2003–2013; Chair, Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, 2014–2017. |
| 5 | James W. Metzger | 12 Jul 2000 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2000–2002. Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (ACJCS), 2002–2005. | 5 | 1971 (USNA) | 29 | (1949– ) |
| 6 | Michael D. Haskins | 31 Jul 2000 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2000–2003. | 3 | 1966 (USNA) | 34 | (1942– ) President, Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, 2005–2007. |
| * | John B. Nathman | 1 Aug 2000 | Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC), 2000–2001. Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2001–2002. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs (DCNO N6/N7), 2002–2004. | 4 | 1970 (USNA) | 30 | (1948– ) Promoted to admiral, 1 Dec 2004. |
| 7 | Toney M. Bucchi | 6 Oct 2000 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2000–2003. | 3 | 1970 (NROTC) | 30 | (1946– ) |
| 8 | Richard W. Mayo | 16 Oct 2000 | Director, Space, Information Warfare, Command and Control, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N6), 1999–2002. Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command (COMNAVNETWARCOM), 2002–2004. | 4 | 1968 (NROTC) | 32 | (1946– ) |
| * | Timothy J. Keating | 1 Nov 2000 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Plans, Policy and Operations (DCNO N3/N5), 2000–2002. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2002–2003. Director, Joint Staff (DJS), 2003–2004. | 5 | 1971 (USNA) | 29 | (1949– ) Promoted to admiral, 1 Jan 2005. |
| * | Michael G. Mullen | 1 Nov 2000 | Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic (COMSECONDFLT/COMSTRIKFLTLANT), 2000–2001. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements, and Assessments (DCNO N8), 2001–2003. | 3 | 1968 (USNA) | 32 | (1946– ) Promoted to admiral, 28 Aug 2003. |
| 9 | Martin J. Mayer | 22 Nov 2000 | Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command (DCINCJFCOM), 2000–2002. Deputy Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command (DCDRUSJFCOM), 2002–2003. | 3 | 1966 (OCS) | 34 | (1944– ) |
| 10 | Malcolm I. Fages | 1 May 2001 | Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee (DCMC), 2001–2004. | 3 | 1969 (NROTC) | 32 | (1946– ) |
| 11 | Albert H. Konetzni Jr. | 4 May 2001 | Deputy/Chief of Staff, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, 2001–2002. Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet (DCOMFLTFORCOM/DCOMLANTFLT), 2002–2004. | 3 | 1966 (USNA) | 35 | (1944– ) |
| 12 | Timothy W. LaFleur | 18 May 2001 | Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFPAC), 2001. Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR/COMNAVSURFPAC), 2001–2005. | 4 | 1970 (USNA) | 31 | (1948– ) |
| 13 | Alfred G. Harms Jr. | 24 May 2001 | Chief, Naval Education and Training (CNET), 2001–2003. Commander, Naval Education and Training Command (COMNETC), 2003–2004. | 3 | 1971 (NROTC) | 30 | (1949– ) President, Lake Highland Preparatory School, 2017–2022. |
| 14 | John B. Totushek | 7 Jun 2001 | Chief, U.S. Naval Reserve/Commander, Naval Reserve Force/Director, U.S. Naval Reserve (CHNAVRES/CNRF/DNR), 1998–2003. | 2 | 1966 (NROTC) | 35 | (1944– ) First active-duty Navy Reserve officer to achieve the rank of vice admiral. |
| 15 | Keith W. Lippert | 20 Jul 2001 | Director, Defense Logistics Agency (DIRDLA), 2001–2006. | 5 | 1968 (NROTC) | 33 | (1947– ) Supply Corps. |
| 16 | J. Cutler Dawson Jr. | 27 Jul 2001 | Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic (COMSECONDFLT/COMSTRIKFLTLANT), 2001–2003. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements, and Assessments (DCNO N8), 2003–2004. | 3 | 1970 (USNA) | 31 | (1948– ) |
| 17 | Michael L. Cowan | 10 Aug 2001 | Surgeon General, U.S. Navy/Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (SGN/BUMED), 2001–2004. | 3 | 1971 (direct) | 30 | (1944–2023) Medical Corps. |
| 18 | Richard J. Naughton | 7 Jun 2002 | Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 2002–2003. | 1 | 1968 (USNA) | 34 | (1946–2011) Resigned, 2003. |
| 19 | Phillip M. Balisle | 28 Jun 2002 | Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEA), 2002–2005. | 3 | 1970 (OCS) | 32 | (1948– ) |
| * | Robert F. Willard | 18 Jul 2002 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2002–2004. Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, J8, 2004–2005. | 3 | 1973 (USNA) | 29 | (1950– ) Promoted to admiral, 18 Mar 2005. |
| 20 | Michael D. Malone | 2 Aug 2002 | Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2002–2004. | 2 | 1970 (USNA) | 32 | (1948–2019) |
| 21 | Kevin P. Green | 18 Sep 2002 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Plans, Policy and Operations (DCNO N3/N5), 2002–2004. | 2 | 1971 (USNA) | 31 | (1949– ) |
| 22 | Gerald L. Hoewing | 1 Oct 2002 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower and Personnel/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2002–2005. | 3 | 1971 (NROTC) | 31 | (1949– ) |
| 23 | Lowell E. Jacoby | 17 Oct 2002 | Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA), 2002–2005. | 3 | 1969 (AOCS) | 33 | (1945– ) Director of Naval Intelligence, 1997–1999. |
| 24 | David L. Brewer III | 23 Oct 2002 | Commander, Military Sealift Command (COMMSC), 2001–2006. | 4 | 1970 (NROTC) | 32 | (1946– ) Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District, 2006–2009. |
| 25 | Stanley R. Szemborski | 19 Nov 2002 | Principal Deputy Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2002–2007. | 5 | 1971 (USNA) | 31 | (1949– ) |
| 26 | Albert T. Church III | Mar 2003 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2003–2004. Director, Navy Staff (DNS/N09B), 2004–2005. | 2 | 1969 (USNA) | 34 | (1947– ) First cousin once removed of U.S. Senator Frank Church. |
| 27 | Michael J. McCabe | 28 May 2003 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2003–2005. | 2 | 1970 (AOCS) | 33 | (1948– ) |
| 28 | Rodney P. Rempt | 1 Aug 2003 | Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 2003–2007. | 4 | 1966 (USNA) | 37 | (1945– ) President, Naval War College, 2001–2003. |
| * | Gary Roughead | 15 Aug 2003 | Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic/Commander, Naval Forces North Fleet East/Commander, Joint Task Force 120/Commander, Joint Task Force 950 (COMSECONDFLT/COMSTRIKFLTLANT/COMNAVNFE/CDRJTF 120/CDRJTF 950), 2003–2004. Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (DCDRUSPACOM), 2004–2005. | 2 | 1973 (USNA) | 30 | (1951– ) Promoted to admiral, 1 Sep 2005. |
| * | Eric T. Olson | 2 Sep 2003 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (DCDRUSSOCOM), 2003–2007. | 4 | 1973 (USNA) | 30 | (1952– ) Navy SEAL. Promoted to admiral, 6 Jul 2007. First Navy SEAL to attain rank of vice admiral. |
| * | Kirkland H. Donald | 5 Sep 2003 | Commander, Naval Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Submarine Allied Command Atlantic/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMNAVSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMSUBACLANT/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2003–2004. Commander, Naval Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMNAVSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2004. | 1 | 1975 (USNA) | 28 | (1953– ) Promoted to admiral, 1 Jan 2005. |
| 29 | David C. Nichols Jr. | 7 Oct 2003 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2003–2005. Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (DCDRUSCENTCOM), 2005–2007. | 4 | 1974 (USA) | 29 | (1950– ) |
| 30 | John G. Cotton | 18 Oct 2003 | Chief, U.S. Naval Reserve/Commander, Naval Reserve Force (CHNAVRES/CNRF), 2003–2005. Chief, U.S. Navy Reserve/Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNR/CNRF), 2005–2008. | 5 | 1973 (USNA) | 30 | (1951– ) |
| * | Henry G. Ulrich III | 4 Nov 2003 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMSTRIKFORSOUTH), 2003–2004. Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMJC Lisbon/COMSTRIKFORSOUTH), 2004. Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (COMSIXTHFLT/COMJC Lisbon/COMSTRIKFORNATO), 2004–2005. | 2 | 1972 (USNA) | 31 | (1950– ) Promoted to admiral, 22 Jul 2005. |
| 31 | Walter B. Massenburg | 1 Dec 2003 | Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIR), 2003–2007. | 4 | 1970 (NROTC) | 33 | (1949– ) |
| 32 | Albert M. Calland III | 26 Mar 2004 | Associate Director of Central Intelligence, Military Support (ADCI/MS), 2004–2005. Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency (DD/CIA), 2005–2006. Deputy Director, Strategic Operational Planning, National Counterterrorism Center, 2006–2007. | 3 | 1974 (USNA) | 30 | (1952–2023) Navy SEAL. Resigned as CIA deputy director, 2006. |
| 33 | James D. McArthur Jr. | 26 Mar 2004 | Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command (COMNAVNETWARCOM), 2004. Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command/Deputy Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (Navy)/Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, Information Technology (COMNAVNETWARCOM/DCHINFO(N)/ACNO-IT), 2004–2007. | 3 | 1972 (USNA) | 32 | (1949– ) |
| 34 | Kevin J. Cosgriff | 24 Jun 2004 | Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet (DCOMFLTFORCOM/DCOMLANTFLT), 2004–2006. Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (DCOMUSFF), 2006–2007. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2007–2008. | 4 | 1971 (USMMA) | 33 | (1949– ) |
| 35 | Justin D. McCarthy | Aug 2004 | Director, Material Readiness and Logistics (N4), 2004–2007. | 3 | 1969 (OCS) | 35 | (1947– ) Supply Corps. |
| 36 | Donald C. Arthur Jr. | 3 Aug 2004 | Surgeon General, U.S. Navy/Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (SGN/BUMED), 2004–2007. | 3 | 1974 (direct) | 30 | (1950– ) Medical Corps. |
| 37 | Ronald A. Route | 12 Aug 2004 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2004–2007. | 3 | 1971 (USNA) | 33 | (1949– ) President, Naval War College, 2003–2004; President, Naval Postgraduate School, 2013–2019. |
| 38 | James M. Zortman | 17 Aug 2004 | Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2004–2007. | 3 | 1973 (USNA) | 31 | (1951– ) |
| * | James G. Stavridis | 1 Sep 2004 | Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (SMA SecDef), 2004–2006. | 2 | 1976 (USNA) | 28 | (1955– ) Promoted to admiral, 18 Oct 2006. Dean, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, 2013–2018. |
| * | Mark P. Fitzgerald | 1 Oct 2004 | Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic/Commander, Joint Task Force 120 (COMSECONDFLT/COMSTRIKFLTLANT/CDRJTF 120), 2004–2006. Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Striking Fleet Atlantic/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (COMSECONDFLT/COMSTRIKFLTLANT/DIRCJOS COE), 2006. Director, Navy Staff (DNS/N09B), 2006–2007. | 3 | 1973 (NROTC) | 31 | (1951– ) Promoted to admiral, 30 Nov 2007. |
| * | Jonathan W. Greenert | 1 Oct 2004 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2004–2006. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (DCNO N8), 2006–2007. | 3 | 1975 (USNA) | 29 | (1953– ) Promoted to admiral, 29 Sep 2007. |
| 39 | Charles L. Munns | 15 Oct 2004 | Commander, Naval Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMNAVSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2004–2007. Commander, Naval Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 46/Commander, Task Force 82/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMNAVSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-46/CTF-82/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2007. | 3 | 1973 (USNA) | 31 | (1950– ) |
| 40 | Lewis W. Crenshaw Jr. | 4 Nov 2004 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Resources, Requirements and Assessments (DCNO N8), 2004–2006. | 2 | 1974 (USNA) | 30 | (1952– ) |
| 41 | Joseph A. Sestak Jr. | 17 Nov 2004 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs (DCNO N6/N7), 2004–2005. | 1 | 1974 (USNA) | 30 | (1951– ) Relieved as deputy chief of naval operations, 2005. U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district, 2007–2011; Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, 2010. |
| 42 | J. Kevin Moran | 3 Dec 2004 | Commander, Naval Education and Training Command (COMNETC), 2004–2006. Commander, Naval Education and Training Command/Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel (COMNETC/DCNP), 2006–2007. | 3 | 1974 (USNA) | 30 | (1952– ) |
| 43 | Terrance T. Etnyre | 4 Mar 2005 | Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR/COMNAVSURFPAC), 2005–2008. | 3 | 1971 (OCS) | 34 | (1947– ) |
| 44 | Evan M. Chanik Jr. | 17 Mar 2005 | Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, J8, 2005–2006. Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (COMSECONDFLT/DIRCJOS COE), 2006–2008. | 3 | 1973 (USNA) | 32 | (1951– ) |
| 45 | Barry M. Costello | 7 May 2005 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2005–2007. | 2 | 1973 (NROTC) | 32 | (1951– ) |
| 46 | John D. Stufflebeem | 20 May 2005 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Commander, NATO Response Force/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMJC Lisbon/COMSTRIKFORNATO/COM- NRF/DCOMUSNAVEUR/JFMCC Europe), 2005–2007. Director, Navy Staff (DNS/N09B), 2007–2008. | 3 | 1975 (USNA) | 30 | (1952– ) Relieved, 2008. |
| 47 | Paul E. Sullivan | 15 Jul 2005 | Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEA), 2005–2008. | 3 | 1974 (USNA) | 31 | (1952– ) |
| 48 | Ann E. Rondeau | 1 Aug 2005 | Director, Navy Staff (DNS/N09B), 2005–2006. Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (DCDRUSTRANSCOM), 2006–2009. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2008. President, National Defense University (P-NDU), 2009–2012. | 7 | 1974 (OCS) | 31 | (1951– ) President, College of DuPage, 2016–2018; President, Naval Postgraduate School, 2019–present. |
| 49 | John G. Morgan Jr. | 15 Aug 2005 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Plans, Policy and Operations (DCNO N3/N5), 2005. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2005–2008. | 3 | 1972 (NROTC) | 33 | (1950– ) |
| * | Patrick M. Walsh | 3 Nov 2005 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2005–2007. | 2 | 1977 (USNA) | 28 | (1955– ) Promoted to admiral, 5 Apr 2007. |
| * | John C. Harvey Jr. | 22 Nov 2005 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2005. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Total Force/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2005–2008. Director, Navy Staff (DNS/N09B), 2008–2009. | 4 | 1973 (USNA) | 32 | (1951– ) Promoted to admiral, 24 Jul 2009. Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, 2014–2017. |
| 50 | Robert T. Conway Jr. | 14 Mar 2006 | Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), 2006–2009. | 3 | 1972 (OCS) | 34 | (1950– ) |
| 51 | Mark J. Edwards | 16 Jun 2006 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Communication Networks (DCNO N6), 2006–2008. | 2 | 1972 (NROTC) | 34 | (1950– ) |
| 52 | Robert B. Murrett | 7 Jul 2006 | Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (DIRNGA), 2006–2010. | 4 | 1975 (NROTC) | 31 | (1952– ) Director of Naval Intelligence, 2005–2006; Deputy Director, Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism, 2011–present. |
| 53 | Nancy E. Brown | Aug 2006 | Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems, Joint Staff, J6, 2006–2009. | 3 | 1974 (OCS) | 32 | (1952– ) Deputy Director, White House Military Office, 1999–2000. |
| 54 | William D. Crowder | 12 Sep 2006 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2006–2008. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2008. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2008–2009. | 3 | 1974 (USNA) | 28 | (1952– ) |
| 55 | P. Stephen Stanley | 6 Dec 2006 | Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, J8, 2006–2010. Principal Deputy Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2010–2012. | 6 | 1975 (USNA) | 31 | (1952– ) |
| 56 | Melvin G. Williams Jr. | 1 Jan 2007 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (DCOMUSFF), 2007–2008. Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (COMSECONDFLT/DIRCJOS COE), 2008–2010. | 3 | 1978 (USNA) | 28 | (1955– ) U.S. Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy, 2011–2013. |
| 57 | Michael K. Loose | 31 Jan 2007 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics (DCNO N4), 2007–2010. | 3 | 1975 (NROTC) | 32 | (1953– ) Civil Engineer Corps. |
| 58 | John J. Donnelly | 3 Feb 2007 | Commander, Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 46/Commander, Task Force 82/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-46/CTF-82/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2007–2010. | 3 | 1975 (USNA) | 32 | (1952– ) |
| 59 | David J. Venlet | 16 Feb 2007 | Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIR), 2007–2010. Program Executive Officer, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (PEO F-35), 2010–2012. | 5 | 1974 (USNA) | 33 | (1954– ) |
| * | Samuel J. Locklear III | 3 May 2007 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2007–2009. Director, Navy Staff (DNS/N09B), 2009–2010. | 3 | 1977 (USNA) | 30 | (1954– ) Promoted to admiral, 6 Oct 2010. |
| 60 | Jeffrey L. Fowler | 8 Jun 2007 | Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 2007–2010. | 3 | 1978 (USNA) | 29 | (1956– ) Resigned, 2010. |
| 61 | H. Denby Starling II | 15 Jun 2007 | Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command/Deputy Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (Navy)/Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, Information Technology (COMNAVNETWARCOM/DCHINFO(N)/ACNO-IT), 2007–2008. Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command (COMNAVNETWARCOM), 2008–2010. Commander, Navy Cyber Forces/Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command (COMCYBERFOR/COMNAVNETWARCOM), 2010. | 3 | 1974 (NROTC) | 33 | (1952– ) |
| 62 | Thomas J. Kilcline Jr. | 22 Jun 2007 | Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2007–2010. | 3 | 1973 (USNA) | 34 | (1951– ) |
| 63 | Joseph Maguire | 28 Jun 2007 | Deputy Director, Strategic Operational Planning, National Counterterrorism Center, 2007–2010. | 3 | 1974 (NROTC) | 33 | (1951– ) Navy SEAL. Director, National Counterterrorism Center, 2018–2019. |
| 64 | David Architzel | 1 Aug 2007 | Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition) (PMD ASN(RDA)), 2007–2010. Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIR), 2010–2012. | 5 | 1973 (USNA) | 34 | (1951– ) |
| 65 | Adam M. Robinson Jr. | 27 Aug 2007 | Surgeon General, U.S. Navy/Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (SGN/BUMED), 2007–2011. | 4 | 1977 (direct) | 30 | (1950– ) Medical Corps. Director, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, 2015–2020; Director, Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System, 2020–present. |
| 66 | Jeffrey A. Wieringa | 29 Aug 2007 | Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DIRDSCA), 2007–2010. | 3 | 1976 (AOCS) | 31 | (1955– ) |
| * | James A. Winnefeld Jr. | 14 Sep 2007 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMJC Lisbon/COMSTRIKFOR- NATO/DCOMUSNAVEUR/JFMCC Europe), 2007–2008. Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMJC Lisbon/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMUS- NAVEUR/DCOMUSNAVAF/JFMCC Europe), 2008. Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, J5/Senior Member, U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Military Staff Committee (Sr. Member MSC), 2008–2010. | 3 | 1978 (NROTC) | 29 | (1956– ) Promoted to admiral, 19 May 2010. Chair, President's Intelligence Advisory Board, 2022–2024. |
| 67 | Richard K. Gallagher | 1 Oct 2007 | Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCDRUSEUCOM), 2007–2009. U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 2009–2012. | 5 | 1976 (USNA) | 31 | (1952– ) |
| 68 | Robert T. Moeller | 10 Oct 2007 | Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command, 2007–2010. | 3 | 1974 (NROTC) | 33 | (1951–2011) |
| 69 | William D. Sullivan | 11 Oct 2007 | U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 2007–2009. | 2 | 1972 (OCS) | 35 | (1950– ) |
| 70 | Carl V. Mauney | 15 Oct 2007 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (DCDRUSSTRATCOM), 2007–2010. | 3 | 1975 (NROTC) | 32 | (1953– ) |
| 71 | Bernard J. McCullough III | 1 Nov 2007 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (DCNO N8), 2007–2009. Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet (COMFCC/COMTENTHFLT), 2009–2011. | 4 | 1975 (USNA) | 32 | (1953– ) |
| 72 | Anthony L. Winns | 9 Nov 2007 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2007–2011. | 4 | 1978 (USNA) | 30 | (1956– ) |
| 73 | Derwood C. Curtis | 13 Mar 2008 | Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR/COMNAVSURFPAC), 2008–2011. | 3 | 1976 (USNA) | 32 | (1953– ) |
| * | Mark E. Ferguson III | 16 Apr 2008 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2008–2011. | 3 | 1978 (USNA) | 30 | (1956– ) Promoted to admiral, 22 Aug 2011. |
| 74 | David J. Dorsett | 4 Jun 2008 | Director of Naval Intelligence (OPNAV N2/DNI), 2008–2009. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information Dominance/Director of Naval Intelligence (DCNO N2/N6/DNI), 2009–2011. | 3 | 1978 (NROTC) | 30 | (1956– ) |
| * | William H. McRaven | 13 Jun 2008 | Commander, Joint Special Operations Command/Commander, Joint Special Operations Command Forward, U.S. Special Operations Command (CDRJSOC/CDRJSOC-F), 2008–2011. | 3 | 1977 (NROTC) | 31 | (1955– ) Navy SEAL. Promoted to admiral, 8 Aug 2011. Chancellor, University of Texas System, 2015–2018. |
| * | Harry B. Harris Jr. | 13 Jun 2008 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Communication Networks/Deputy Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (Navy) (DCNO N6/DCHINFO(N)), 2008–2009. Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMUS- NAVEUR/DCOMUSNAVAF/JFMCC Europe), 2009–2011. Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (ACJCS), 2011–2013. | 5 | 1978 (USNA) | 30 | (1956– ) Promoted to admiral, 16 Oct 2013. U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, 2018–2021. |
| * | William E. Gortney | 5 Jul 2008 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2008–2010. Director, Joint Staff (DJS), 2010–2012. | 4 | 1977 (AOCS) | 31 | (1955– ) Promoted to admiral, 14 Sep 2012. |
| 75 | John M. Bird | 12 Jul 2008 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2008–2010. Director, Navy Staff (DNS/N09B), 2010–2012. | 4 | 1977 (USNA) | 31 | (1955– ) |
| 76 | Dirk J. Debbink | 22 Jul 2008 | Chief, U.S. Navy Reserve/Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNR/CNRF), 2008–2012. | 4 | 1977 (USNA) | 31 | (1955– ) |
| 77 | Peter H. Daly | Aug 2008 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (DCOMUSFF), 2008–2011. | 3 | 1977 (NROTC) | 31 | (1955– ) CEO, U.S. Naval Institute, 2011–2023. |
| 78 | Bruce E. MacDonald | 4 Aug 2008 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy/U.S. Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (JAG/REPOPA), 2006–2009. | 1 | 1978 (NROTC) | 30 | (1955– ) Judge Advocate General's Corps. Convening Authority, Office of Military Commissions, 2010–2013. First three-star judge advocate general of the Navy. |
| 79 | Kevin M. McCoy | 8 Aug 2008 | Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEA), 2008–2013. | 5 | 1978 (NROTC) | 30 | (1956– ) |
| * | Bruce W. Clingan | 27 Aug 2008 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMJC Lisbon/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMUSNAVEUR/DCOM- USNAVAF/JFMCC Europe), 2008–2009. Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMUSNAV- EUR/DCOMUSNAVAF/JFMCC Europe), 2009. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans, and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2009–2012. | 4 | 1977 (NROTC) | 31 | (1955– ) Promoted to admiral, 24 Feb 2012. |
| 80 | Robert S. Harward Jr. | 3 Nov 2008 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command (DCDRUSJFCOM), 2008–2009. Commander, Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435 (CDRCJIATF 435), 2009–2011. Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (DCDRUSCENTCOM), 2011–2013. | 5 | 1979 (USNA) | 29 | (1956– ) Navy SEAL. |
| 81 | Alan S. Thompson | 19 Nov 2008 | Director, Defense Logistics Agency (DIRDLA), 2008–2011. | 3 | 1976 (NROTC) | 32 | (1954– ) |
| 82 | John M. Mateczun | 8 Dec 2008 | Commander, Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical (JTF CapMed Commander), 2007–2012. | 4 | 1973 (direct) | 35 | (1947– ) |
| 83 | Michael C. Vitale | 30 Jan 2009 | Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), 2009–2012. | 3 | 1977 (NROTC) | 32 | (1955– ) |
| 84 | Joseph D. Kernan | Jun 2009 | Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (SMA SecDef), 2009–2011. Military Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command (MILDEPUSSOUTHCOM), 2011–2013. | 4 | 1977 (USNA) | 32 | (1955– ) U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, 2017–2020. |
| 85 | Richard W. Hunt | 13 Jun 2009 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2009–2011. Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR/COMNAVSURFPAC), 2011–2012. Director, Navy Staff (DNS), 2012–2013. | 4 | 1976 (OCS) | 33 | (1953– ) |
| 86 | James W. Houck | 14 Aug 2009 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy/U.S. Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (JAG/REPOPA), 2009–2012. | 3 | 1980 (USNA) | 29 | (1958– ) Judge Advocate General's Corps. Interim Dean, Penn State Law and School of International Affairs, 2021–2024. |
| 87 | Mark D. Harnitchek | 12 Nov 2009 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (DCDRUSTRANSCOM), 2009–2011. Director, Defense Logistics Agency (DIRDLA), 2011–2014. | 5 | 1977 (NROTC) | 32 | (1955– ) Supply Corps. |

## Background
### Three-star positions, elevations and reductions

The directorates of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations underwent significant restructuring between 2000 and 2009.
* The N4 (Fleet Readiness and Logistics) and N7 (Warfare Requirements and Programs) directorates were stood up in 2000 under CNO Vern Clark as advocates for current and future fleet requirements respectively. The heads of both directorates were three-star vice admirals.
* The director of naval intelligence became a permanent three-star billet in 2009 under CNO Gary Roughead with the consolidation of the N2 and N6 directorates into the N2/N6 (Information Dominance) directorate under a deputy chief of naval operations dual-hatted as DNI. Consequently, then-DNI Vice Admiral David J. Dorsett was reconfirmed as a vice admiral in October 2009 to assume the dual hat.
Two positions directly responsible to the Chief of Naval Operations were elevated to three-star grade between 2000 and 2009.
* The Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 elevated the leaders of all service reserve and National Guard components to three-star grade under standard promotion authority. As such, the incumbent chief of Navy Reserve, Rear Admiral John B. Totushek was nominated for promotion to vice admiral, and assumed the rank in June 2001.
* The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 elevated all judge advocates general of the service branches to three-star grade. Rear Admiral Bruce E. MacDonald, the incumbent judge advocate general of the Navy, was nominated for promotion to vice admiral in July 2008, and assumed the rank in August of the same year.
A number of Navy commands were established, elevated to or downgraded from three-star level between 2000 and 2009.
* Navy Installations Command was established in October 2003 as a rear admiral's billet, but was elevated to a vice admiral's billet in 2006 concurrent with the downgrading of Military Sealift Command into a two-star command.
* The commander of Military Sealift Command, charged with replenishment and transport operations for the Navy, was reduced to a rear admiral's billet in 2006. Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III thus became the last vice admiral to lead MSC.
* U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and Tenth Fleet were established in late 2009 as a dual-hatted vice admiral's billet. Vice Admiral Bernard J. McCullough III, then-deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources (DCNO N8), was confirmed to the new position in December 2009.
Additionally, on 1 October 2001, a single type commander was designated as the "follow-on" lead for a type of weapon system for the overall operating forces of the Navy, leading several Pacific and Atlantic type commanders to be dual-hatted as overall type commanders for the entire service. The aviation, submarine and surface warfare type commanders, Vice Admirals John B. Nathman, John J. Grossenbacher, Timothy W. LaFleur assumed their dual hats on the same date.

### Senate confirmations

Military nominations are considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee. While it is rare for three-star or four-star nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn. Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session.
* The nomination of Rear Admiral Elizabeth A. Hight to be director of the Defense Information Systems Agency in 2008 was withdrawn due to concerns about a possible conflict of interest with her husband, a retired Air Force general who was employed by a prominent Defense contractor.
* The nomination of Major General Joseph J. Taluto to succeed Clyde A. Vaughn as director of the Army National Guard in 2010 was withdrawn due to public controversy and subsequent Senate inaction over his handling of the deaths of Phillip Esposito and Louis Allen.
Additionally, events that take place after Senate confirmation may still delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office.
* For example, Major General John G. Rossi, who had been confirmed for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016 committed suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command. As a result, the then incumbent commander of USASMDC, Lieutenant General David L. Mann, remained in command beyond statutory term limits until another nominee, Major General James H. Dickinson was confirmed by the Senate.
* Vice Admiral Scott A. Stearney assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces in May 2018. His death in December of the same year resulted in the speedy confirmation of Rear Admiral James J. Malloy in the same month for appointment to three-star rank as his replacement.

## Legislative history

The following list of Congressional legislation includes all acts of Congress pertaining to appointments to the grade of vice admiral in the United States Navy from 2000 to 2009.
Each entry lists an act of Congress, its citation in the United States Statutes at Large, and a summary of the act's relevance, with officers affected by the act bracketed where applicable. Positions listed without reference to rank are assumed to be eligible for officers of three-star grade or higher.
List of legislation on appointments of vice admirals from 2000 to 2009 :
| Legislation | Citation | Summary |
| Act of October 30, 2000 [Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001] | 114 Stat. 1654A–103 114 Stat. 1654A–105 | Raised statutory rank of the chief of Naval Reserve, under standard promotion procedures, to vice admiral (John B. Totushek). Repealed special requirement for senior reserve component officers, per Section 12505 of Title 10, for appointment to grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. |
| Act of December 2, 2002 [Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003] | 116 Stat. 2487 116 Stat. 2525 | Established a Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center and assigned director statutory grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Exempted the senior military assistant to the secretary of defense from number and percentage limitations on general or flag officers, if serving in grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. |
| Act of October 28, 2004 [Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005] | 118 Stat. 1875 | Removed requirement for deputy and assistant chiefs of naval operations to be selected from line officers of the Navy. |
| Act of January 6, 2006 [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006] | 119 Stat. 3226 | Prohibited frocking of officers below grade of major general or rear admiral to grades above major general or rear admiral. |
| Act of January 28, 2008 [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008] | 122 Stat. 94 122 Stat. 115 122 Stat. 278 | Raised statutory rank of the judge advocate general of the Navy to vice admiral (Bruce E. MacDonald). Increased percentage of general or flag officers that may be appointed above grade of major general or rear admiral from 15.7% to 16.3%. Allowed officers serving in grade of lieutenant general, general, vice admiral, or admiral to continue holding such position for up to 60 days following reassignment from such position, unless placed sooner in another designated position. Made position of principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy (research, development and acquisition) statutory, to be selected from active duty vice admirals of the Navy and lieutenant generals of the Marine Corps. |
| Act of October 14, 2008 [Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009] | 122 Stat. 4433 122 Stat. 4435 122 Stat. 4436 | Increased percentage of flag officers in the Navy that may be appointed above grade of rear admiral from 16.3% to 16.4%. Revised cap on total number of authorized Navy flag officers to be reduced to 160, of which 32 may be appointed in grade of vice admiral pending a congressional report by the secretary of defense. Authorized appointment of up to 68 officers in grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral for joint duty assignments. |
| Act of October 28, 2009 [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010] | 123 Stat. 2273 | Capped total number of Navy flag officers who may be appointed in grade of vice admiral at 32, pursuant to changes made under NDAA 2009. |