John Collins Harvey, Jr.

Admiral, U.S. Navy

John Collins Harvey, Jr. was born on 17 December 1951 in Baltimore, MD, and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1969. He received his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 and immediately commenced training in the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion program. In 1988, he received a Master's degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Harvey has served at sea on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Bainbridge (CGN-25), USS McInerney (FFG-8), as Reactor Officer on the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), and as Executive Officer on the USS Long Beach (CGN-9). He commanded USS David R. Ray (DD-971), USS Cape St. George (CG-71) and Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight/Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group. He has deployed to the North and South Atlantic; the Mediterranean, Baltic and Red Seas; the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Persian Gulf.

Harvey's shore assignments include two tours at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, as the Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), as Director, Total Force Programming and Manpower Management Division (OPNAV N12), and as Deputy for Warfare Integration (OPNAV N7F).

On 22 November 2005, Harvey was promoted to Vice Admiral and assumed duties as the Navy's 54th Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education).

On 24 January 2008, Harvey was nominated by President George W. Bush for reappointment to the grade of Vice Admiral and assignment as Director, Navy Staff (N09B). He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 13 March 2008. With the removal of previous Director, Navy Staff, Vice Admiral John Stufflebeem, Harvey assumed those duties on 24 March 2008.

On 24 July 2009, Harvey was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and assigned as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

On 16 December 2011, the US Navy's Old Salt designation was passed to Harvey, making him the longest-serving Surface Warfare Officer currently on active duty within the US Navy.

Admiral Harvey retired from the Navy in 2012.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)
Legion of Merit (5 Awards)
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (5 Awards)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy "E" Ribbon with Three Battle E Devices
Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with One Bronze Service Star
Navy Meritorious Unite Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal

Badges

Submarine Warfare Officer Insignia

Use of Social Media

Admiral Harvey is active in the naval blogosphere often posting at the U.S. Naval Institute's blog. As Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, he maintains his own blog.