# List of United States Navy vice admirals from 2010 to 2019

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 120 vice admirals in the U.S. Navy from 2010 to 2019, 20 of whom were promoted to four-star admiral. All 120 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Admirals entered the Navy via several paths: 75 were commissioned via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), 27 via Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at a civilian university, five via Officer Candidate School (OCS), four via Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), four via direct commission (direct), one via NROTC at a senior military college, one via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), and one via direct commission inter-service transfer from the United States 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 2010 to 2019 :
| # | Name | Date of rank | Position | Yrs | Commission | YC | Notes |
| 1 | John T. Blake | Jan 2010 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (DCNO N8), 2009–2012. | 2 | 1975 (USNA) | 35 | (1953– ) |
| 2 | Michael A. Lefever | Jan 2010 | Commander and Senior Military Representative, U.S. Embassy Islamabad, 2008–2011. Deputy Director, Strategic Operational Planning, National Counterterrorism Center, 2011–2014. | 3 | 1976 (USNA) | 34 | (1954– ) |
| 3 | William R. Burke | Apr 2010 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics (DCNO N4), 2010–2012. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Systems (DCNO N9), 2012–2013. | 3 | 1978 (USNA) | 32 | (1956– ) |
| 4 | Carol M. Pottenger | 7 May 2010 | Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DCOFS-CD), 2010–2013. | 3 | 1977 (NROTC) | 33 | (1955– ) |
| 5 | Allen G. Myers IV | 1 Jul 2010 | Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2010–2012. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (DCNO N8), 2012–2014. | 4 | 1978 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 6 | Mark I. Fox | 5 Jul 2010 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2010–2012. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans, and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2012–2013. Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (DCDRUSCENTCOM), 2013–2016. | 6 | 1978 (USNA) | 32 | (1956– ) Director, White House Military Office, 2005–2006. |
| 7 | Michael H. Miller | 3 Aug 2010 | Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 2010–2014. | 4 | 1974 (USNA) | 36 | (1952– ) Director, White House Military Office, 2002–2005. |
| 8 | Daniel P. Holloway Jr. | 5 Aug 2010 | Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (COMSECONDFLT/DIRCJOS COE), 2010–2011. | 1 | 1978 (USNA) | 32 | (1956– ) |
| 9 | William E. Landay III | 5 Aug 2010 | Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DIRDSCA), 2010–2013. | 3 | 1978 (USNA) | 32 | (1956– ) |
| 10 | Charles J. Leidig Jr. | 5 Aug 2010 | Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command, 2010–2013. | 3 | 1978 (USNA) | 32 | (1955– ) |
| 11 | W. Mark Skinner | 5 Aug 2010 | Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition) (PMD ASN(RDA)), 2010–2013. | 3 | 1977 (USNA) | 33 | (1955– ) |
| 12 | Scott R. Van Buskirk | 10 Sep 2010 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2010–2011. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2011–2013. | 3 | 1979 (USNA) | 31 | (1959– ) |
| * | Cecil D. Haney | 3 Nov 2010 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (DCDRUSSTRATCOM), 2010–2011. | 2 | 1978 (USNA) | 32 | (1955– ) Promoted to admiral, 20 Jan 2012. |
| * | John M. Richardson | 5 Nov 2010 | Commander, Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2010–2012. | 2 | 1982 (USNA) | 28 | (1960– ) Promoted to admiral, 2 Nov 2012. |
| 13 | James P. Wisecup | 18 Apr 2011 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2011–2013. | 2 | 1977 (USNA) | 34 | (1954– ) President, Naval War College, 2008–2011; Director, Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group, 2013–2016. |
| 14 | Gerald R. Beaman | 21 Apr 2011 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2011–2013. | 2 | 1974 (NROTC) | 34 | (1952– ) |
| 15 | David H. Buss | 26 May 2011 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Commander, Task Force 20/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/CTF-20/DIRCJOS COE), 2011–2012. Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2012–2015. | 4 | 1978 (USNA) | 33 | (1956– ) |
| 16 | Kendall L. Card | Jun 2011 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information Dominance/Director of Naval Intelligence (DCNO N2/N6/DNI), 2011–2013. | 2 | 1977 (NROTC) | 34 | (1955– ) |
| * | Scott H. Swift | 7 Sep 2011 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2011–2013. Director, Navy Staff (DNS), 2013–2015. | 4 | 1979 (AOCS) | 32 | (1959– ) Promoted to admiral, 27 May 2015. |
| * | Michael S. Rogers | 30 Sep 2011 | Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet (COMFCC/COMTENTHFLT), 2011–2014. Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Navy) (COMFCC/COMTENTHFLT/CDRJFHQ-C), 2014. | 3 | 1981 (NROTC) | 30 | (1959– ) Promoted to admiral, 3 Apr 2014. |
| 17 | Frank C. Pandolfe | 3 Oct 2011 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Task Force Six/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/CTF-6/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMUSNAVEUR/DCOMUSNAVAF/JFMCC Europe), 2011–2013. Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, J5/Senior Member, U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Military Staff Committee (Sr. Member MSC), 2013–2015. Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (ACJCS), 2015–2017. | 6 | 1980 (USNA) | 31 | (1958– ) |
| 18 | Matthew L. Nathan | 18 Nov 2011 | Surgeon General, U.S. Navy/Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (SGN/BUMED), 2011–2015. | 4 | 1981 (direct) | 30 | Medical Corps. |
| 19 | Timothy M. Giardina | 20 Dec 2011 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (DCDRUSSTRATCOM), 2011–2013. | 2 | 1979 (USNA) | 32 | (1957– ) Relieved, 2013. |
| 20 | William D. French | 3 Feb 2012 | Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), 2012–2014. | 2 | 1979 (NROTC) | 33 | (1954– ) |
| 21 | Philip H. Cullom | 17 Feb 2012 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics (DCNO N4), 2012–2017. | 5 | 1979 (USNA) | 33 | (1957– ) |
| 22 | Charles W. Martoglio | 17 Feb 2012 | Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCDRUSEUCOM), 2012–2014. | 2 | 1978 (USNA) | 34 | (1956– ) |
| 23 | John W. Miller | 24 May 2012 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/C5F/CCMF), 2012–2015. | 3 | 1979 (USNA) | 33 | (1957– ) |
| 24 | Thomas H. Copeman III | 19 Jul 2012 | Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR/COMNAVSURFPAC), 2012–2014. | 2 | 1982 (OCS) | 30 | (1959– ) |
| 25 | Nanette M. DeRenzi | 20 Jul 2012 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy/U.S. Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (JAG/REPOPA), 2012–2015. | 3 | 1984 (direct) | 28 | (1960– ) Judge Advocate General's Corps. First female judge advocate in any service to achieve three-star rank. |
| * | Kurt W. Tidd | 26 Jul 2012 | Director, Operations, Joint Staff, J3, 2012–2013. Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (ACJCS), 2013–2015. | 3 | 1978 (USNA) | 34 | (1956– ) Promoted to admiral, 14 Jan 2016. Son of Navy vice admiral Emmett H. Tidd; brother of Navy rear admiral Mark L. Tidd. |
| 26 | Robin R. Braun | 13 Aug 2012 | Chief, U.S. Navy Reserve/Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNR/CNRF), 2012–2016. | 4 | 1980 (USNA) | 32 | (1958– ) First woman to lead any reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces. |
| * | Michelle J. Howard | 24 Aug 2012 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/DIRCJOS COE), 2012–2013. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2013–2014. | 2 | 1982 (USNA) | 30 | (1960– ) Promoted to admiral, 1 Jul 2014. First African-American woman to achieve the rank of vice admiral in the Navy. |
| 27 | Michael J. Connor | 7 Sep 2012 | Commander, Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2012–2015. | 3 | 1980 (NROTC) | 32 | (1960– ) |
| 28 | David A. Dunaway | 21 Sep 2012 | Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIR), 2012–2015. | 3 | 1982 (USNA) | 30 | (1960– ) |
| 29 | Paul J. Bushong | Oct 2012 | U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (USSC), 2012–2014. | 2 | 1981 (USNA) | 31 | (1958– ) |
| 30 | James D. Syring | 19 Nov 2012 | Director, Missile Defense Agency (DIRMDA), 2012–2017. | 5 | 1985 (USNA) | 27 | (1963– ) |
| 31 | Joseph P. Aucoin | 5 Mar 2013 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Systems (DCNO N9), 2013–2015. Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2015–2017. | 4 | 1980 (NROTC) | 33 | (1957– ) Relieved, 2017. |
| 32 | Bruce E. Grooms | 15 May 2013 | Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DCOFS-CD), 2013–2015. | 2 | 1980 (USNA) | 33 | (1958– ) |
| 33 | Paul A. Grosklags | 23 May 2013 | Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition) (PMD ASN(RDA)), 2013–2015. Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIR), 2015–2018. | 5 | 1982 (USNA) | 31 | (1960– ) |
| 34 | Terry J. Benedict | 28 May 2013 | Director, Strategic Systems Programs (DIRSSP), 2010–2018. | 5 | 1982 (USNA) | 31 | (1958– ) |
| 35 | Kenneth E. Floyd | 3 Jun 2013 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2013–2015. | 2 | 1980 (NROTC) | 33 | (1958– ) |
| 36 | William H. Hilarides | 7 Jun 2013 | Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEA), 2013–2016. | 3 | 1981 (USNA) | 32 | (1959– ) |
| 37 | Sean A. Pybus | 2 Jul 2013 | Commander, NATO Special Operations Headquarters (CDRNSHQ), 2013–2014. Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (DCDRUSSOCOM), 2014–2016. | 3 | 1979 (NROTC) | 34 | (1957– ) Navy SEAL. |
| 38 | Nora W. Tyson | 22 Jul 2013 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/DIRCJOS COE), 2013–2014. Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (COMUSFF), 2014. Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/DCOMUSNAVNORTH/DIRCJOS COE), 2014–2015. Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2015–2017. | 4 | 1979 (OCS) | 34 | (1957– ) First woman to command a ship fleet. |
| 39 | Ted N. Branch | 30 Jul 2013 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information Warfare/Director of Naval Intelligence (DCNO N2/N6/DNI), 2013–2016. | 3 | 1979 (USNA) | 34 | (1957– ) |
| 40 | Robert L. Thomas Jr. | 31 Jul 2013 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2013–2015. Director, Navy Staff (DNS), 2015–2016. | 3 | 1979 (NROTC) | 34 | (1956– ) |
| * | William F. Moran | 2 Aug 2013 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2013–2016. | 3 | 1981 (USNA) | 32 | (1958– ) Promoted to admiral, 31 May 2016. |
| * | James F. Caldwell Jr. | 5 Sep 2013 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2013–2015. | 2 | 1981 (USNA) | 32 | (1959– ) Promoted to admiral, 14 Aug 2015. Great-grandson of Navy four-star admiral Jehu V. Chase. |
| 41 | Joseph W. Rixey | 6 Sep 2013 | Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DIRDSCA), 2013–2017. | 4 | 1983 (USNA) | 30 | (1960– ) |
| 42 | William A. Brown | 9 Oct 2013 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (DCDRUSTRANSCOM), 2013–2015. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2015. Director, Logistics, Joint Staff, J4, 2015–2017. | 4 | 1980 (VMI) | 33 | (1958– ) Supply Corps. |
| * | Philip S. Davidson | 11 Oct 2013 | 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), 2013–2014. | 1 | 1982 (USNA) | 31 | (1960– ) Promoted to admiral, 19 Dec 2014. |
| 43 | Joseph P. Mulloy | 10 Jan 2014 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (DCNO N8), 2014–2017. | 3 | 1979 (USNA) | 35 | (1957– ) |
| 44 | Jan E. Tighe | 2 Apr 2014 | Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Navy) (COMFCC/COMTENTHFLT/CDRJFHQ-C), 2014–2016. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information Warfare/Director of Naval Intelligence (DCNO N2/N6/DNI), 2016–2018. | 4 | 1984 (USNA) | 30 | (1962– ) First woman to command a numbered fleet. |
| 45 | Walter E. Carter Jr. | 23 Jul 2014 | Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 2014–2019. | 5 | 1981 (USNA) | 33 | (1959– ) President, Naval War College, 2013–2014; President, University of Nebraska System, 2020–2024; President, Ohio State University, 2024–present. |
| 46 | Thomas S. Rowden | 7 Aug 2014 | Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR/COMNAVSURFPAC), 2014–2018. | 4 | 1982 (USNA) | 32 | (1963– ) Resigned, 2018. Son of Navy vice admiral William H. Rowden. |
| 47 | Dixon R. Smith | 24 Oct 2014 | Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), 2014–2017. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics (DCNO N4), 2017–2019. | 5 | 1983 (USNA) | 31 | (1960– ) |
| * | James G. Foggo III | 14 Dec 2014 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Task Force Six/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/CTF-6/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMUSNAVEUR/DCOMUSNAVAF/JFMCC Europe), 2014–2016. Director, Navy Staff (DNS), 2016–2017. | 3 | 1981 (USNA) | 33 | (1959– ) Promoted to admiral, 20 Oct 2017. |
| 48 | Troy M. Shoemaker | 22 Jan 2015 | Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1982 (USNA) | 33 | (1960– ) |
| 49 | Herman A. Shelanski | 15 May 2015 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1979 (AOCS) | 36 | (1957– ) |
| 50 | Michael T. Franken | 22 Jun 2015 | Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command, 2015–2017. | 2 | 1981 (NROTC) | 34 | (1957– ) Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Senator from Iowa, 2022. |
| 51 | James W. Crawford III | 26 Jun 2015 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy/U.S. Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (JAG/REPOPA), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1983 (direct) | 32 | (1957– ) Judge Advocate General's Corps. President, Felician University, 2021–2023; President, Texas Southern University, 2024–present. |
| 52 | Kevin M. Donegan | 3 Sep 2015 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2015–2017. Director, Navy Staff/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (DNS/DCNO N3/N5), 2017. Director, Navy Staff (DNS), 2017–2018. | 3 | 1980 (NROTC) | 35 | (1958– ) |
| 53 | Richard P. Breckenridge | 8 Sep 2015 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/DCOMUSNAVNORTH/DIRCJOS COE), 2015–2017. | 2 | 1982 (USNA) | 33 | (1960– ) |
| 54 | Joseph E. Tofalo | 11 Sep 2015 | Commander, Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1983 (USNA) | 32 | (1962– ) |
| 55 | John N. Christenson | Oct 2015 | U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1981 (USNA) | 34 | (1958– ) President, Naval War College, 2011–2013. |
| 56 | David C. Johnson | Oct 2015 | Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition) (PMD ASN(RDA)), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1982 (USNA) | 33 | (1960– ) |
| * | John C. Aquilino | 13 Oct 2015 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2015–2017. Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2017–2018. | 3 | 1984 (USNA) | 31 | (1961– ) Promoted to admiral, 17 May 2018. |
| 57 | Raquel C. Bono | 29 Oct 2015 | Director, Defense Health Agency (DIRDHA), 2015–2019. | 4 | 1979 (NROTC) | 36 | (1957– ) Medical Corps. First Asian-American woman and female Navy medical officer to achieve the rank of vice admiral. |
| 58 | C. Forrest Faison III | 25 Dec 2015 | Surgeon General, U.S. Navy/Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (SGN/BUMED), 2015–2019. | 4 | 1980 (direct) | 35 | (1958– ) Medical Corps. |
| * | Robert P. Burke | 27 May 2016 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2016–2019. | 3 | 1983 (NROTC) | 33 | (1962– ) Promoted to admiral, 10 Jun 2019. |
| 59 | Thomas J. Moore | 10 Jun 2016 | Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (COMNAVSEA), 2016–2020. | 4 | 1981 (USNA) | 35 | (1959– ) |
| 60 | Kevin D. Scott | Jul 2016 | Director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, J7, 2016–2018. | 2 | 1982 (NROTC) | 34 | (1960– ) |
| * | Michael M. Gilday | 14 Jul 2016 | Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Navy) (COMFCC/COMTENTHFLT/CDRJFHQ-C), 2016–2018. Director, Operations, Joint Staff, J3, 2018–2019. Director, Joint Staff (DJS), 2019. | 3 | 1985 (USNA) | 31 | (1962– ) Promoted to admiral, 22 Aug 2019. |
| 61 | Colin J. Kilrain | 15 Jul 2016 | Commander, NATO Special Operations Headquarters (CDRNSHQ), 2016–2019. Associate Director, Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency (ADMA), 2019–2021. Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (ACJCS), 2021–2023. | 7 | 1985 (OCS) | 31 | (1958– ) Navy SEAL. |
| 62 | Luke M. McCollum | 28 Sep 2016 | Chief, U.S. Navy Reserve/Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNR/CNRF), 2016–2020. | 4 | 1983 (USNA) | 33 | (1960– ) |
| 63 | P. Gardner Howe III | 4 Oct 2016 | Associate Director, Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency (ADMA), 2016–2019. | 3 | 1982 (USNA) | 34 | (1962– ) Navy SEAL. President, Naval War College, 2014–2016. |
| * | Charles A. Richard | 18 Oct 2016 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (DCDRUSSTRATCOM), 2016–2018. Commander, Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2018–2019. | 3 | 1982 (NROTC) | 34 | (1959– ) Promoted to admiral, 18 Nov 2019. |
| * | Christopher W. Grady | 28 Oct 2016 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Naval Forces Africa/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMUSNAVEUR-NAVAF/JFMCC Europe), 2016–2018. Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (ACJCS), 2018. | 2 | 1984 (NROTC) | 32 | (1962– ) Promoted to admiral, 4 May 2018. |
| 64 | Mary M. Jackson | 31 Mar 2017 | Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), 2017–2020. | 3 | 1988 (USNA) | 29 | (1966– ) |
| * | William K. Lescher | 5 Apr 2017 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Integration of Capabilities and Resources (DCNO N8), 2017–2020. | 3 | 1980 (USNA) | 37 | (1958– ) Promoted to admiral, 29 May 2020. |
| 65 | David H. Lewis | 24 May 2017 | Director, Defense Contract Management Agency (DIRDCMA), 2017–2020. | 3 | 1979 (NROTC) | 38 | (1957– ) |
| 66 | Mathias W. Winter | 25 May 2017 | Program Executive Officer, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (PEO F-35), 2017–2019. | 2 | 1984 (NROTC) | 33 | (1962– ) |
| 67 | Matthew J. Kohler | 6 Jul 2017 | Commander, Naval Information Forces (COMNAVIFOR), 2016–2018. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Information Warfare/Director of Naval Intelligence (DCNO N2/N6/DNI), 2018–2020. | 3 | 1983 (AOCS) | 34 | (1960– ) |
| 68 | William R. Merz | 31 Jul 2017 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Systems (DCNO N9), 2017–2019. Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2019–2021. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2021–2022. | 5 | 1986 (USNA) | 31 | (1963– ) |
| 69 | Andrew L. Lewis | 16 Aug 2017 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2017–2018. Commander, U.S. Second Fleet (COMSECONDFLT), 2018. Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Joint Force Command - Norfolk (COMSECONDFLT/CDRJFC-NF), 2018–2020. Commander, U.S. Second Fleet/Commander, Joint Force Command - Norfolk/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (COMSECONDFLT/CDRJFC-NF/DIRCJOS COE), 2020–2021. | 4 | 1985 (USNA) | 32 | (1963– ) |
| 70 | Phillip G. Sawyer | 23 Aug 2017 | Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT), 2017–2019. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Operations, Plans and Strategy (DCNO N3/N5), 2019–2021. | 4 | 1983 (USNA) | 34 | (1961– ) |
| 71 | John D. Alexander | 15 Sep 2017 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2017–2019. | 2 | 1982 (AOCS) | 35 | (1956– ) |
| 72 | Frederick J. Roegge | 25 Sep 2017 | President, National Defense University (NDU-P), 2017–2021. | 4 | 1980 (NROTC) | 37 | (1958– ) |
| 73 | Bruce H. Lindsey | 7 Nov 2017 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/DCOMUSNAVNORTH/CDIRCJOS COE), 2017–2019. Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/DCOMUSNAVNORTH/DCOMUSNAVSTRAT/DIRCJOS COE), 2019–2020. | 3 | 1982 (USNA) | 35 | (1960– ) |
| 74 | Richard A. Brown | 8 Jan 2018 | Commander, Naval Surface Forces/Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR/COMNAVSURFPAC), 2018–2020. | 2 | 1985 (USNA) | 33 | (1963– ) |
| 75 | DeWolfe H. Miller III | 11 Jan 2018 | Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRFOR/COMNAVAIRPAC), 2018–2020. | 2 | 1981 (USNA) | 37 | (1959– ) |
| 76 | Nancy A. Norton | 1 Feb 2018 | Director, Defense Information Systems Agency/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Department of Defense Information Network (DIRDISA/CDRJFHQ-DoDIN), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1987 (NROTC) | 31 | (1964– ) |
| * | Lisa M. Franchetti | 1 Mar 2018 | Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Task Force Six/Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe (COMSIXTHFLT/CTF-6/COMSTRIKFORNATO/DCOMCNE-CNA/JFMCC Europe), 2018–2020. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Development (DCNO N7), 2020. Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, J5/Senior Member, U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Military Staff Committee (Sr. Member MSC), 2020–2022. | 4 | 1985 (NROTC) | 33 | (1964– ) Promoted to admiral, 2 Sep 2022. |
| * | Craig S. Faller | Apr 2018 | Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (SMA SecDef), 2017–2018. | 0 | 1983 (USNA) | 35 | (1961– ) Promoted to admiral, 26 Nov 2018. |
| 79 | Johnny R. Wolfe Jr. | 4 May 2018 | Director, Strategic Systems Programs (DIRSSP), 2018–present. | 6 | 1988 (USNA) | 30 | (1965– ) |
| 80 | Scott A. Stearney | 6 May 2018 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2018. | 0 | 1987 (USNA) | 31 | (1960–2018) Died in office. |
| 81 | G. Dean Peters | 31 May 2018 | Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIR), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1985 (USNA) | 33 | (1963– ) |
| 82 | Brian B. Brown | 15 Jun 2018 | Commander, Naval Information Forces (COMNAVIFOR), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1986 (USNA) | 32 | (1964– ) |
| 83 | David M. Kriete | 15 Jun 2018 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (DCDRUSSTRATCOM), 2018–2020. Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command/Commander, Task Force 80/Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (DCOMUSFF/DCOMUSNAVNORTH/DCOMUSNAVSTRAT/CTF-80/DIRCJOS COE), 2020. Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command/Commander, Task Force 80 (DCOMUSFF/DCOMUSNAVNORTH/DCOMUSNAVSTRAT/CTF-80), 2020–2021. | 3 | 1984 (USNA) | 34 | (1963– ) |
| 84 | Timothy J. White | 18 Jun 2018 | Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Navy) (COMFCC/COMTENTHFLT/CDRJFHQ-C), 2018–2020. | 2 | 1987 (USNA) | 31 | (1965– ) |
| 85 | James J. Malloy | 31 Jul 2018 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/Commander, Combined Maritime Forces (COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT/COMCMF), 2018–2020. Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (DCDRUSCENTCOM), 2020–2022. | 4 | 1986 (USNA) | 32 | (1963– ) |
| 86 | Richard P. Snyder | 31 Jul 2018 | Naval Inspector General (NAVIG), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1983 (NROTC) | 35 | (1960– ) |
| 87 | John G. Hannink | 12 Sep 2018 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy/U.S. Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (JAG/REPOPA), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1985 (USNA) | 33 | (1962– ) Judge Advocate General's Corps. |
| 88 | Michael T. Moran | 12 Oct 2018 | Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition) (PMD ASN(RDA)), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1984 (USNA) | 34 | (1962– ) |
| 89 | Timothy G. Szymanski | 15 Oct 2018 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (DCDRUSSOCOM), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1985 (USNA) | 33 | (1962– ) Navy SEAL. |
| 90 | Michael J. Dumont | 5 Nov 2018 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command/Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command (DCDRUSNORTHCOM/VCDRNORAD), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1990 (USA) | 28 | (1960– ) |
| 91 | Robert D. Sharp | 7 Feb 2019 | Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (DIRNGA), 2019–2022. | 3 | 1988 (OCS) | 31 | |
| * | Stuart B. Munsch | 28 Mar 2019 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Development (DCNO N7), 2019–2020. Director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, J7, 2020–2022. | 3 | 1985 (USNA) | 34 | (1962– ) Promoted to admiral, 27 Jun 2022. |
| 92 | Ross A. Myers | 24 May 2019 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (DCDRUSCYBERCOM), 2019–2020. Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Navy) (COMFCC/COMTENTHFLT/CDRJFHQ-C), 2020–2022. | 3 | 1986 (NROTC) | 33 | (1959– ) |
| 93 | John B. Nowell Jr. | 24 May 2019 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education/Chief of Naval Personnel (DCNO N1/CNP), 2019–2022. | 3 | 1984 (USNA) | 35 | (1962– ) |
| 94 | Jon A. Hill | 31 May 2019 | Director, Missile Defense Agency (DIRMDA), 2019–2023. | 4 | 1985 (NROTC) | 34 | (1963– ) |
| 95 | Ronald A. Boxall | 7 Jun 2019 | Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, J8, 2019–2022. | 3 | 1984 (NROTC) | 35 | (1963– ) |
| 96 | Ricky L. Williamson | 27 Jun 2019 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics (DCNO N4), 2019–2023. | 4 | 1985 (USNA) | 34 | (1962– ) |
| 97 | Dee L. Mewbourne | 2 Jul 2019 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (DCDRUSTRANSCOM), 2019–2022. | 3 | 1982 (USNA) | 37 | (1961– ) |
| * | James W. Kilby | 23 Jul 2019 | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (DCNO N9), 2019–2021. Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command/Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command/Commander, Task Force 80 (DCOMUSFF/DCOMUSNAVNORTH/DCOMUSNAVSTRAT/CTF-80), 2021–2024. | 5 | 1986 (USNA) | 33 | (1963– ) Promoted to admiral, 5 Jan 2024. |
| 98 | Sean S. Buck | 26 Jul 2019 | Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, 2019–2023. | 4 | 1983 (USNA) | 36 | (1960– ) |
| 99 | Scott D. Conn | 27 Sep 2019 | Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), 2019–2021. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (DCNO N9), 2021–2023. | 4 | 1985 (NROTC) | 34 | (1962– ) |
| * | Daryl L. Caudle | 12 Nov 2019 | Commander, Submarine Forces/Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander, Allied Submarine Command/Commander, Task Force 144/Commander, Task Force 84 (COMSUBFOR/COMSUBLANT/COMASC/CTF-144/CTF-84), 2019–2021. | 2 | 1985 (OCS) | 34 | (1963– ) Promoted to admiral, 7 Dec 2021. |

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

Several three-star positions were created, consolidated, or even eliminated entirely between 2010 and 2019.
* The warfighting development (OPNAV N7) directorate was stood up in October 2019 to develop and disseminate naval strategy and implement it in tandem with naval training and education efforts. Rear Admiral Stuart B. Munsch was promoted to vice admiral to become the first deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development.
* The warfare systems (OPNAV N9) directorate was stood up in 2012 for validating and integrating requirements and resources for manpower, training, sustainment safety and modernization of manned and unmanned warfare systems of the U.S. Navy, with Vice Admiral William R. Burke as its inaugural commander.
* The surgeon general of the Navy (SGN), a vice admiral's billet since 1965 was reduced to a rear admiral's billet after the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act struck the statutory ranks of heads of restricted/limited-duty communities. Rear Admiral Bruce L. Gillingham, the first Navy surgeon general since passage of the Act, assumed office on 1 October 2019.
* Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), established in 2014 as a two-star command was elevated to a three-star command in July 2017. Then-NAVIFOR commander, Rear Admiral Matthew J. Kohler was promoted to vice admiral on 6 July 2017.
* United States Second Fleet (COMSECONDFLT) was disestablished and re-established in 2011 and 2018.
** In September 2011, Second Fleet was disestablished and merged with the U.S. Fleet Forces Command as a cost-saving measure. COMSECONDFLT's directorship of the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (CJOS COE), held since 2006, was transferred to the deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
** Facing maritime competition from Russia, Second Fleet was formally re-established on 24 August 2018 as a strategic countermeasure. Its new commander, Vice Admiral Andrew L. Lewis was dual-hatted as Joint Force Command - Norfolk (JFC-NF) from June 2018, and re-assumed the directorship of CJOS COE in October 2020.

### 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.
* For example, the nomination of Rear Admiral Elizabeth L. Train for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as director of naval intelligence and deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare was withdrawn in April 2016 in favour of Vice Admiral Jan E. Tighe, then-commander of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and Tenth Fleet. Tighe was confirmed in May 2016 and assumed office in July 2016.
* The nomination of Major General Ryan F. Gonsalves for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as commanding general of U.S. Army Europe was withdrawn in November 2017 after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer. As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018.
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 customary 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 2010 to 2019.
Each entry lists an act of Congress, its citation in the United States Statutes at Large or Public Law number, 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 2010 to 2019 :
| Legislation | Citation | Summary |
| Act of 7 January 2011 [Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011] | 124 Stat. 4137 | Authorized officers frocked to grade of vice admiral or admiral to wear the insignia of that grade for up to 14 days before assuming position for which that grade is authorized. Repealed 30-day waiting period following congressional notification before officers below grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral may wear insignia of the next higher grade. |
| Act of 23 December 2016 [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017] | 130 Stat. 2000 | Repealed authorization for the Chief of Staff to the President, if a general or flag officer of the United States Armed Forces, to be designated a position of importance and responsibility with grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Removed statutory requirement for the director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center, if a commissioned officer, to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Repealed statutory requirement for the director of the Missile Defense Agency, if a commissioned officer, to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Repealed statutory requirement for senior members of the United Nations Military Staff Committee to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Repealed statutory requirement for the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy (research, development and acquisition) to hold grade of lieutenant general in the Marine Corps or vice admiral in the Navy. Repealed statutory requirement for the judge advocate general of the Navy to hold grade of vice admiral. |
| Act of 12 December 2019 [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020] | 133 Stat. 1346 | Required advice and consent of the Senate on any proposal by the secretary of defense to increase the retired grade of any military officer through the reopening of the determination or certification of said officer's retired grade. |