Rear Adm. John Tammen is a native of Washington Township, New Jersey.  He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and earned his master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University.

His career as a nuclear submarine warfare officer includes assignments as division officer aboard USS Plunger (SSN 595); engineer officer aboard USS Nevada (SSBN 733) and executive officer aboard USS Providence (SSN 719).  Subsequent command assignments include commanding officer of USS Georgia (SSBN/SSGN 729) and commodore of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON).

Ashore, he has served as officer in charge of the Combat Systems Training Team on the staff of Commander, Submarine Group 5; squadron engineer on the staff of Commander SUBRON-17; Force Nuclear Power officer for Atlantic Submarine Force; executive assistant to the director, Submarine Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N77); deputy division chief for Joint Capabilities Division (Joint Staff J8); section head for Platforms, Payloads and Budget in Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97); military assistant and chief of staff for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs (OEPP), the Honorable Sharon Burke; and deputy director for Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97).

As a flag officer, he served as the deputy director for Plans and Policy (J5) at U.S. Strategic Command, Commander of Submarine Group 9, and Director for Undersea Warfare Division (OPNAV N97) in Washington, D.C.

He is currently serving as deputy chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Policy, Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia.

His personal decorations include Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (four awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various unit awards.

Last Updated: 6 October 2021