Daryl Lane Caudle (born 1963)[1] is a United States Navy admiral who is the 35th commander of United States Fleet Forces Command since December 7, 2021.[2] He most recently served as commander of Naval Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) and Commander, Allied Submarine Command (ASC). As COMSUBFOR, he was the undersea domain lead, and is responsible for the submarine force's strategic vision. As COMSUBLANT, he commanded all Atlantic-based U.S. submarines, their crews and supporting shore activities. These responsibilities also include duties as commander, Task Force (CTF) 114, CTF 88, and CTF 46. As commander, Allied Submarine Command, he was the principal undersea warfare advisor to all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) strategic commanders.

Daryl Caudle
Official portrait, 2021
Born1963 (age 60–61)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1985–present
RankAdmiral
CommandsUnited States Fleet Forces Command
Submarine Force Atlantic
Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Allied Submarine Command
Task Force 114
Task Force 88
Task Force 46
Task Force 134
Submarine Squadron 3
USS Helena (SSN-725)
USS Topeka (SSN-754)
USS Jefferson City (SSN-759)
Battles / warsOperation Inherent Resolve
Operation Odyssey Lightning
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (4)
Alma materNorth Carolina State University
Naval Postgraduate School
Old Dominion University
University of Phoenix

Prior to this assignment, he was Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff (J-5) in Washington, D.C.

Early life and education

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Caudle was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1985. He was commissioned in the Navy after completing his training from Officer Candidate School.[3] He holds advanced academic degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School where he graduated with distinction with a Master of Science in Physics in 1992[4] and from Old Dominion University with a Master of Science in engineering management. He also graduated from the School of Advanced Studies, a branch of University of Phoenix, where he obtained his doctor of management in organizational leadership with a specialization in information systems and technology.

Caudle's published dissertation focused on military decision-making uncertainty while considering the use of force in cyberspace. He is also a professional engineer.[5]

On December 4, 2020, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) at North Carolina State University awarded him the CBE Distinguished Alumni Award.[6]

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Adm. Caudle relieves Adm. Christopher W. Grady as commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command on December 7, 2021.

Caudle served at various posts during his sea tour assignments such as division officer, USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656), engineer of USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634) and USS Sand Lance (SSN-660) as well as serving as executive officer of USS Montpelier (SSN-765). His first command assignment was as commanding officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN-759). While appointed to the Submarine Squadron 11 as deputy commander, he served as commanding officer of USS Topeka (SSN-754) and USS Helena (SSN-725). He also commanded Submarine Squadron 3 as Commodore.[5]

Caudle's tours ashore include assignments as assistant force nuclear power officer, commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Officer-in-Charge of Moored Training Ship (MTS 635); deputy commander of Submarine Squadron 11; assistant deputy director for information and cyberspace policy on the Joint Staff (J-5) in Washington, D.C.; and chief of staff, commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.[5]

Caudle's other flag assignments include deputy chief for security cooperation, Office of the Defense Representative, Pakistan where he directly supported coalition forces for Operation Enduring Freedom; deputy commander, Joint Functional Component Command-Global Strike; deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; director of operations U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa; commander, Submarine Group Eight, where he directed combat strikes using the first ever dual Carrier operations with allies in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He also designed the plan and directed combat sorties for Operation Odyssey Lightning to counter violent extremists in Libya; and commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.[3]

In July 2021, he was nominated and confirmed for promotion to four-star admiral to succeed Christopher W. Grady as commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command.[7][8]

Awards and decorations

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Rear Adm. Caudle, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) delivers remarks during the COMSUBPAC change of command ceremony aboard the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
    Submarine Warfare insignia (Officer)
  Silver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia (7 awards)
  Command at Sea insignia
  Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
  Navy Distinguished Service Medal
     Defense Superior Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
     Legion of Merit with three gold award stars
    Meritorious Service Medal with two award stars
      Navy Commendation Medal with four award stars
     Navy Achievement Medal with three award stars
    Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
  Navy Unit Commendation
    Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars
  Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E devices
Navy Expeditionary Medal with service star
National Defense Service Medal with service star
  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  Korea Defense Service Medal
  Armed Forces Service Medal
  Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
     Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with seven service stars
  Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
    Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with two service stars
Special Operations Service Ribbon with service star
  Brazilian Order of Naval Merit, Commander[9]
  Peruvian Order of Naval Merit, Grand Cross[10]
NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with service star
  Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
  Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

Personal life

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Caudle is married to Donna Caudle, with whom they have two daughters, two stepdaughters, two grandsons, and one granddaughter. Two of his sons-in-law's are active duty military, one in the Navy and one in the Marine Corps. He lives in Norfolk, Virginia.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 114. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  2. ^ "United States Navy Officer Flag Roster, December 2021 (Public)" (PDF). MyNavyHR. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  3. ^ a b "Vice Admiral Daryl Caudle". Home. 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  4. ^ Graduation Exercises (PDF). Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School. December 17, 1992. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  5. ^ a b c "Rear Admiral Daryl L. Caudle". Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  6. ^ a b "Honoring the 2020 CBE Distinguished Alumni – Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering". NC State University. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  7. ^ "PN820 — Vice Adm. Daryl L. Caudle — Navy". U.S. Congress. Archived from the original on 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  8. ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  9. ^ "Commander, Submarine Forces Hosts Brazilian Delegation".
  10. ^ @COMSUBLANT (21 July 2021). "Vice Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander, U.S. Submarine Forces, received the Cruz Peruana al Mérito Naval from Ambassador…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
Military offices
Preceded by
???
Commander of Submarine Squadron 3
2009–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Chief for Security Cooperations of the Office of the Defense Representative–Pakistan
2013–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander of Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike
2014–2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of Operations of the United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Deputy Commander of the United States Sixth Fleet, and Commander of Submarine Group 8
2015–2017
Preceded by Commander of Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet
2017–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff
2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Naval Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic, and Allied Submarine Command
2019–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command
2021–present
Incumbent