Gregory G . Johnson Admiral Gregory G . Johnson ( born 1946 ) is a retired United States Navy admiral , and former commander U . S . Naval Forces , Europe and Allied Forces , Southern Europe . Military career . Admiral Johnson is a native of Westmanland , Maine . He graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science . Following Aviation Officer Candidate School , he was commissioned in 1969 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1970 . His initial sea duty assignment was in VA - 66 flying the A - 7E Corsair II and deploying in USS " Nimitz " . Subsequent squadron and sea duty assignments include VFA - 86 on USS " Nimitz " ; VA - 174 ; Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VA - 105 ( Marine Air Group Twelve and USS " Forrestal " ) ; Deputy Commander , Carrier Air Wing Six on USS " Forrestal " ; and Commander , Carrier Air Wing Three on USS " Dwight D . Eisenhower " . Shore duty assignments include the Command and Staff Course , Naval War College ( graduating with highest distinction ) ; Systems Analysis Division ( OP - 96 ) of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations ; F / A - 18 / A - 7 Readiness Officer on the staff Commander Naval Air Force , United States Atlantic Fleet ; Joint Chiefs of Staff as Head of the European Command / Central Command Branch of the Joint Operations Division ( JOD ) , Operations Directorate ( J - 3 ) ; and Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Executive Assistant to the Chairman . Johnson was selected for flag rank in February 1995 . His first flag assignment was as the Director of Operations , Plans , and Policy ( N3 / N5 ) on the Commander in Chief , U . S . Atlantic Fleet staff . In February 1996 , he reported as Commander , Carrier Group Eight / USS " Theodore Roosevelt " Battle Group where he served until August 1997 . In September 1997 he reported as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense . In May 1999 , he assumed duties as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense . His previous assignment was Commander , United States Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe . Admiral Johnson assumed duties as Commander , U . S . Naval Forces , Europe and Commander in Chief , Allied Forces Southern Europe on October 24 , 2001 . He retired from the Navy in December 2004 . His decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters , Defense Superior Service Medal , Legion of Merit with two Gold Award Stars , Defense Meritorious Service Medal , Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Award Stars , Air Medal , Navy Commendation Medal , Navy Achievement Medal , and various service and campaign awards . In 2003 , he was awarded the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award . Post military . After retiring from the Navy , Johnson settled in Harpswell , Maine . He started Snow Ridge Associates , a consulting firm . He is also a member of the Energy Security Leadership Council and sits on the board of directors of Integrian , a surveillance technology company . He is also an Outside Director of CACI International . Johnson serves as a co - leader of the National Security Project ( NSP ) at the Bipartisan Policy Center .