Rear Admiral Patrick Friedman is a native of Albany, Louisiana. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1995 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After Officer Candidate School, he completed nuclear power and basic submarine training. He also holds a Masters’ Degree in Human Resource Management from the New School University.

His sea duties include serving on USS Helena (SSN 725), USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) as the engineer officer, and USS Pennsylvania (BLUE) (SSBN 735) as Executive Officer.

He commanded USS Columbia (SSN 771). Under his command, the ship earned the 2014 COMSUBRON SEVEN Battle “E”, the Engineering “E,” and the CNO Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy. In January 2016, he assumed command of USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723).

He commanded Submarine Squadron ELEVEN overseeing the training and readiness of five Los Angeles class submarines, the Navy’s only Sailor-run floating drydock, and the Navy’s Undersea Rescue Command.

Admiral Friedman’s shore duty assignments include Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, New York, as a staff instructor; Commander, Submarine Squadron SEVEN, as the material officer; Naval Reactors as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Director for Officer Policies and Plans; Commander, Submarine Forces Pacific as the Senior Member of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team; Commander, United States Indo-Pacific Command as the Director for Sensitive Activities, Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Director, Undersea Warfare Division (OPNAV N97), and Executive Assistant to the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

 He is currently serving as the Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy at U.S. Central Command.

Last Updated: 28 May 2025