Richard Cheeseman Jr.

Richard John Cheeseman Jr. is a retired United States Navy vice admiral and surface warfare officer who last served as the deputy chief of naval operations for personnel, manpower, and training and 60th Chief of Naval Personnel from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as a special education assistant to the Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command, and prior to that was commander of Carrier Strike Group 10 from 2020 to 2022. He has also commanded Carrier Strike Group 2 with tours as commanding officer of the and .

Raised in Carneys Point Township, New Jersey, Cheeseman earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1989. He later received a master's degree in joint campaign planning and strategy from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College in 2007.

Awards and decorations

Surface Warfare Officer PinLegion of Merit with four award stars Bronze Star MedalMeritorious Service Medal with three award starsNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award starNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award starJoint Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation with bronze service starNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy "E" Ribbon, 2nd awardNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalKorea Defense Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service starNavy and Marine Corps Overseas Service RibbonNATO Medal Ribbon (non-Article 5 version) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Command at Sea insignia