James F. Caldwell, Jr.

James Franklin "Frank" Caldwell Jr. (born March 24, 1959) is a retired admiral in the United States Navy who last served as director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a job once held by the program's creator, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. He previously served as Naval Inspector General.

From August 31, 2022 to his retirement, Caldwell was the Navy's Old Goat, the longest serving United States Naval Academy graduate on active duty, having received the award and accompanying title from Admiral William K. Lescher.

Naval career Caldwell received his commission graduating with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering; he is a fifth-generation Academy graduate. He holds a Master of Science in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Caldwell’s early sea tours include serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. His operational assignments include duty as a division officer on , engineering officer on (GOLD), and executive officer on .

Caldwell commanded home ported in Norfolk, Virginia; Submarine Development Squadron 12 in New London, Connecticut; and Submarine Group 9 in Bangor, Washington. In his most recent afloat command, he commanded SUBPAC (Submarine Forces Pacific) as COMSUBPAC.

Ashore, Caldwell served on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, and later as Undersea Warfare 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.

On August 5, 2015, Caldwell was confirmed by the US Senate to become admiral. Caldwell assumed his duties as the seventh director of Naval Reactors on August 14, 2015, normally an eight-year term.

Awards and decorations

Officer Submarine Warfare insigniaNavy Distinguished Service Medal with 2 gold award starsDefense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with 2 gold award starsMeritorious Service Medal with gold award starNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 gold award starsNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 2 gold award starsJoint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with 3 bronze service starsNavy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E awardsNavy Expeditionary Medal with 2 bronze service starsNational Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 3 bronze service starsNavy Arctic Service RibbonCoast Guard Special Operations Service RibbonNavy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with sharpshooter deviceSilver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia (5 awards)Command at Sea insigniaJoint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge