Admiral James Caldwell received his commission graduating with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Caldwell commanded USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia; Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 12 in New London, Connecticut; Submarine Group  9 in Bangor, Washington; and the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Hawaii. His sea tours include service in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. His Operational assignments include duty as a division officer on USS Boston (SSN 703), engineering officer on USS Alabama (SSBN 731) (GOLD), and executive officer on USS Buffalo (SSN 715).

Ashore, Caldwell served on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and later as Undersea Warfare (USW) Requirements officer on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  He also served as senior member of the Naval Submarine Force’s Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team; on the Joint Staff as deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs for Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia and Africa; and deputy commander for U.S. Strategic Command’s Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike in Omaha, Nebraska and as Naval Inspector General, Washington Navy Yard, D. C.  His most recent tour was on the (Office of Naval Operations) OPNAV Staff as the Director, Navy Staff.
 

He assumed his duties as the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in August 2015.
 

Caldwell’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Naval Submarine League’s Charles A. Lockwood Award for Submarine Professional Excellence.

Last Updated: 1 March 2024