Naval Academy Announces Next Commandant

The U.S. Naval Academy announced Thursday that Capt. Bill Byrne will be the next Commandant of Midshipmen.

As commandant, which the Naval Academy says is a position similar to the dean of students at a civilian university, Byrne will be responsible for more than 4,400 midshipmen and their military and professional development.

“I'm thrilled to become a part of the team that gets the next generation of leaders ready to enter the Fleet.  The ensigns and second lieutenants coming out of the Naval Academy seem to get better every year," said Byrne, who is currently serving as Chief of Staff for Commander, U.S. Third Fleet in San Diego.

Byrne is a 1987 graduate of the academy and will replace current Commandant Capt. Robert E. Clark II, whose three-year tour ends in the spring.

According to a press release from the Naval Academy:

            Byrne was born in San Francisco and raised in nearby Pacifica, Calif.  He spent a year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) before attending the academy, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and received his designation as Surface Warfare Officer. His initial sea tours were in San Diego aboard U.S.S. Cook (FF 1083) where he served as gunnery officer and main propulsion assistant, and aboard U.S.S. Lake Champlain (CG 57) as anti-submarine warfare officer. Subsequent sea tours were in San Diego and Yokosuka, Japan, aboard U.S.S. Vincennes (CG 49) as weapons officer and combat systems officer and in Norfolk, Va. as executive officer in U.S.S. Leyte Gulf (CG 55). 

            Byrne’s command tours were in Mayport, Fla., aboard U.S.S. Halyburton (FFG 40) and in San Diego aboard U.S.S. Cape St. George (CG 71). While commanding Cape St. George, Byrne deployed with the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Strike Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

            His shore tours include duty as the aide/flag lieutenant to Commander, Naval Forces Marianas in Guam; and several Pentagon tours including as a resource sponsor for the director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N86), as a warfare analyst for the director, warfare integration (OPNAV N70), and as division chief for antiterrorism/force protection programs in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff (J-3).  Byrne received a master’s in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 2004.

            His decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals and various unit and service awards.