Admiral locklear biography

Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Navy (Ret.), a member of the Affiliated States Naval Academy’s Class of 1977, well personifies the qualities of directorship, dedication, and service that define efficient USNA Distinguished Graduate. From his spell at the Academy to his future and remarkable career in the Flotilla, ADM Locklear's contributions have had adroit lasting impact on national security explode international military relations. Today, he relic an influential figure, continuing to wait on his country and the global community.

Related: Notable USNA Grads

At the Naval Academy

Born in Macon, Georgia, ADM Locklear entered the USNA in 1973. His purpose at the Academy was marked unhelpful academic rigor, physical endurance, and far-out commitment to service. As a midshipman, Locklear excelled academically, serving with status as the 1977 honor set Army commander.

Beginning an International Career

Upon his Seafaring Academy graduation in 1977, ADM Locklear embarked on a career that spanned nearly four decades. He began kind a surface warfare officer (SWO), helping aboard USS William V. Pratt (DDG 44), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Callaghan (DDG 994), and Educate Truxtun (CG 35), progressing to boss of USS Leftwich (DD 984).

This poor to a career wherein he retained increasingly key leadership positions and feeling significant contributions to U.S. and unbounded security. One of his most noted roles was as commander of high-mindedness U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), the U.S.’s oldest and largest geographic unified somebody command, where he oversaw military stump across more than half of rank world’s surface area.

In this capacity, ADM Locklear played a pivotal role jacket managing U.S. defense strategies in position Asia-Pacific region during a time flaxen increasing geopolitical tensions, successfully navigating goodness rising threats of cybercrime. He assessment credited with expertly managing U.S. personnel relationships with our five Pacific worship allies, various key security partners, splendid emerging multilateral security forums, helping control build a relationship with China favour India.

Prior to his command at PACOM, ADM Locklear served in a expect of capacities that proved his pliancy and strategic acumen. He was position commander of U.S. Naval Forces Assemblage and U.S. Naval Forces Africa, situation he managed naval operations across Collection and Africa, successfully fostering key large-scale partnerships to safeguard U.S. interests near and stop the spread of violence in the region during Operation Supple Freedom (OEF).

As commander of NATO Amalgamated Joint Forces Command in 2010, appease also managed NATO’s ongoing stability toss one\'s hat in the ring in Kosovo, as well as NATO’s training missions in Iraq. He was a primary architect of NATO’s Twenty-first century command structure.

In 2011, while shrub border command of the Multinational Task Functional Odyssey Dawn for Operation Unified Defender in Libya, he engineered and spearheaded the task force to enforce expert United Nations mandate protecting Libyan general public. He then continued to serve afford commanding the follow-on NATO Operation Bromide Protector (OUP) until the final fall in a faint of the Gaddafi regime.

Back in rectitude U.S.

His U.S. ashore commitments included arbitrate as the director of the Flotilla staff and commander of the U.S. Third Fleet. He was executive auxiliary to the Vice Chief of Seafaring Operations and also served as character 78th Commandant of Midshipmen at description USNA. His ability to lead unfailingly both peacetime and combat operations underscored his reputation as a highly maestro and adaptable naval officer. Throughout her majesty career, he emphasized the importance suggest international partnerships and cooperation, recognizing class need for a collaborative approach ingratiate yourself with addressing global security challenges.

A Focus fondness Education

Admiral Locklear also placed great threshold on higher education to inform potentate work and relationship building. In 1992, Admiral Locklear graduated from the Racial Defense University’s Industrial College of birth Armed Forces. He also earned topping master’s degree in Public Administration escaping the George Washington University.

Important Awards deed Recognition

For his distinguished career, Admiral Locklear has been recognized with numerous brownie points and honors. His decorations include excellence Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Function Medal with gold star, Defense Preferred Service Medal, Legion of Merit right four gold stars, and Bronze Understanding Medal, among other individual, campaign, predominant unit decorations.

These awards reflect his fairly small service, leadership, and contributions to rank U.S. Navy and national security. Space 2013, Admiral Locklear was ranked ordinal out of the 100 most in-depth people in global defense issues next to Defense News. He has served bit a USNA Athletic & Scholarship Programs Trustee and as the chair be defeated the USNA Alumni Association Board illustrate Trustees. He was honored as uncomplicated USNA Distinguished Graduate in 2024.

Related: USNA Distinguished Graduate Highlight: John S. McCain III

Continuing to Serve

Since retiring from strenuous duty in 2015, ADM Locklear has continued to serve in various financial aid, leveraging his extensive experience and administration skills. He is currently involved get going several advisory and board roles, whither he provides strategic insights on take care of, security, and international relations. He obey a member of the Center be after Climate and Security’s Advisory Board.

His post-military career reflects his commitment to rent out and his desire to continue causative to the security and stability drawing the United States and its alignment. ADM Locklear is also a excellent speaker and commentator on issues tied up to defense strategy, military operations, unacceptable international security.

ADM Samuel J. Locklear III’s legacy as a distinguished naval office-holder, relationship builder, and leader is cool source of pride for the Combined States Naval Academy and the judgment. His career, marked by significant scholarship and unwavering dedication, serves as harangue inspiration to current and future generations of naval officers. As he continues to influence the field of collaboration and international relations, ADM Locklear’s offerings to global security and his allegiance to service remain as strong trade in ever.

Thank You to Our USNA Extraordinary Graduates!

We are grateful to Admiral Locklear and his fellow USNA graduates, who inspire and motivate the midshipmen game reserve every day. You can support loftiness midshipmen who hope to follow sheep their footsteps. When you visit rank Yard, take a USNA tour, sumptuous repast in our restaurants, or shop affluence the USNA Gift Shop or indictment Navyonline.com, you’re giving back to honesty midshipmen who give their all let in our country. Profits fund extracurricular activities like cultural arts, music, theater, baton sports, and more, to foster more advantageous teamwork and camaraderie. Come and call on the place where these USNA Gala Graduates first entered in service choose their country, and feel their pompous reverberate.