Kevin M . McCoy Vice Admiral Kevin M . McCoy is a native of Long Island , New York and joined the United States Navy in 1977 . McCoy ' s las naval posting was as the 42nd commander of Naval Sea Systems Command . He is currently employed as Co - Chief Executive Officer of Irving Shipbuilding Inc . Education . In May 1978 , McCoy graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering . In June 1989 , McCoy earned a master ' s degree in Mechanical Engineering and an engineer ' s degree in Naval Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . In May 1994 McCoy earned a Masters in Business Administration Degree from Emory University . Service . In September 1978 , McCoy began his career at Naval Reactors Headquarters and completed seven months of instruction at the Bettis Reactor Engineering School in West Mifflin , Pennsylvania . In October 1982 , he attended the Submarine Officer ' s Basic Course in New London , Connecticut and reported to USS Daniel Webster ( SSBN - 626 ) in January 1983 as part of the Engineering Duty Officer Dolphin Program . In August 1983 , Rear Adm . McCoy reported to Mare Island Naval Shipyard and served as both a Nuclear and Non - Nuclear Ship Superintendent , as well as Shipyard Docking Officer , and completed submarine qualification . McCoy served at Charleston Naval Shipyard from July 1989 through May 1994 while attending Emory University . In June 1994 , McCoy relieved as Repair Officer on USS L . Y . Spear ( AS - 36 ) . He completed Surface Warfare qualification in June 1995 and in July 1996 he reported for duty as Officer - in - Charge of the Navy Maintenance Support Office in Norfolk , Virginia . There , he was Program Manager for the Advanced Industrial Management Program supporting the Shipyard and NADEP communities . In July 1998 , McCoy reported to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard where he served as Business Officer and Operations Officer until June 2001 . In October 2001 , he became the 80th Commander of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard . In March 2004 , he was selected for promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral ( Lower Half ) . In November 2004 , he was assigned as the Assistant Deputy Commander of Industrial Operations of the Naval Sea Systems Command , Washington Navy Yard , Washington , DC where he served as the NAVSEA Deputy Command for Ship Design , Integration and Engineering . Upon selection to flag rank , McCoy served as assistant deputy commander of Industrial Operations of the Naval Sea Systems Command from 2004 - 2005 . From 2005 - 2008 , he served as the Naval Sea Systems Command ’ s chief engineer . In June 2008 , he was confirmed by the U . S . Senate for promotion to the rank of vice admiral and was assigned as the 42nd commander , Naval Sea Systems Command . On July 1 , 2010 McCoy presented 25 civilians with the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism for their direct support for counter - improvised explosive device efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan . Awards . In March 1997 , at the rank of Commander , McCoy was awarded the Claud A . Jones Award from the American Society of Naval Engineers as " Fleet Engineer of the Year " during his tour onboard " USS L . Y . Spear " . Vice Admiral Kevin M . McCoy is entitled to wear :