Paul Spedero Jr.

Paul C. Spedero Jr. (born 1968) is a United States Navy rear admiral and naval aviator who has served as the vice director of the Joint Staff since July 2025. He most recently served as the vice director for operations of the Joint Staff from 2023 to 2025. He served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 8 from 2022 to 2023, as commander of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command from 2021 to 2022, and prior to that as director for fleet integrated readiness and analysis on the staff of the United States Fleet Forces Command.

Spedero's command tours include serving as commanding officer of the from 2015 to 2018, commanding officer of from 2013 to its decommissioning in 2015 and commander of the "Sidewinders" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA)-86.

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Spedero earned his commission from the NROTC program in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1990 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, and was designated a naval aviator in 1992. He earned an M.A. degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, an M.S. degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University, and a degree in French from the Defense Language Institute.

In February 2023, he was nominated for promotion to rear admiral. In July 2025, he was assigned as vice director of the Joint Staff.

Awards and decorations

Naval Aviator BadgeDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of Merit with award starBronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service MedalAir Medal with strike/flight numeral "6" device,"V" device and two award starsMeritorious Service Medal with award starNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with "V" device and two award starsNavy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalJoint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterNavy Unit Commendation ribbonNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with bronze service starBattle Effectiveness Award 4th awardNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service starAfghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service starsIraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalNavy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with eight service starsNavy Expert Rifle Marksmanship MedalNavy Expert Pistol Marksmanship MedalCommand at Sea insigniaJoint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge