Rear Adm. Robert E. ”Bob” Cowley III moved from the enlisted ranks and obtained his commission through the Aviation Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas. He completed his master’s degree at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. He completed the University of Michigan Executive Business Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Logistics and Information Technology Executive Business Programs at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Cowley previously served as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Acquisition Management for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) and as competition advocate general of the Navy.

His broad range of experience in the acquisition field includes tours as assistant commander for contracts, Naval Air Systems Command; special assistant to the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition); deputy for program support in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Acquisition and Business Management) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition); deputy director for Tactical Aircraft Contracts, Naval Air Systems Command; director, Contracts Department, Navy Regional Contracting Center, Washington, District of Columbia.; contracting officer, Navy Regional Contracting Center Branch, Washington, D.C.; and contracting specialist, SSN-688 Class Submarines, Naval Sea Systems Command. 

His operational tours include damage control assistant and navigator, USS San Diego (AFS 6); supply officer, USS Bowen (FF 1079); assistant supply officer, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); and supply officer, USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

In his last assignment, he served as commander/chief executive officer, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), Virginia Beach, Virginia, NEXCOM. Cowley managed 108 Navy Exchanges, 44 Navy Lodges, 156 Navy Ship’s Stores, 35 Military Sealift Command Ship’s Stores, Navy’s Retail Uniform Program Management Office, Worldwide Telecommunications Services afloat and ashore, Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, and Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Services, afloat and ashore, including food service, disbursing, postal and household goods services. NEXCOM employs over 15,000 civilians globally.

Cowley’s awards include Navy Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal and various other unit and campaign ribbons. 

Cowley is a qualified surface warfare officer, naval aviation supply officer, joint specialty officer and a member of the Navy Acquisition Professional Community. He is a certified DOD business/financial manager, logistician and contracts manager. In addition, he is a national contracts management association certified professional contracts manager.