Rear Adm. Tom Shultz is a native of El Cajon, CA, a Surface Warfare Officer, and the son of a Navy Sailor. He is a graduate of Occidental College, and commissioned in 1994 after completing the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at the University of California, Los Angeles. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

At sea, he served in USS Monsoon (PC 4), USS Sides (FFG 14), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and Destroyer Squadron SEVEN. He commanded USS Patriot (MCM 7), USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), Patrol Coastal Squadron ONE, USS Green Bay (LPD 20), and Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN / Task Force 76.

Ashore, he served as Flag Lieutenant for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as Integration and Force Structure Branch Head for the Director, OPNAV N81, Assessments Division, as Senior Military Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, as the Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Navy, and as Deputy Director, Policy, Plans, Strategy, Capabilities and Resources (J-5/8) at U.S. European Command.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards) and various campaign and unit awards.

He assumed the duty of Director of Operations, J3, U.S. European Command, in June 2026.

Last Updated: 6 July 2026