Captain Charles W. Fowler, III, USN

CAPT Fowler reported to NRL in September 2002, from the Pentagon, where he served as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan and was commissioned an Ensign through the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate program at Pensacola, Florida, in June 1980. He began flight training that same month and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in May 1981. In November 1981, after completion of the P-3C Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) syllabus at Patrol Squadron 30, CAPT Fowler reported to Patrol Squadron 26 at NAS Brunswick, Maine, and subsequently completed deployments to Iceland, Okinawa, and Bermuda. During this tour, he was designated a Patrol Plane Tactical Coordinator, Instructor TACCO, and Mission Commander.

In February 1985, CAPT Fowler was ordered to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Joint Planning Staff for Space (JPS) and Office of the Director, Joint Staff as a JCS Intern and Action Officer. After completing the internship, he was assigned in March 1986 to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Staff in the Strategy, Plans, and Policy Division (OP-60), as the Air Warfare and Space Warfare Capabilities and Objectives Officer. In 1987, he reported to Commander, Carrier Group Three, homeported at NAS Alameda, California, as Aide and Flag Lieutenant. During this tour, he deployed with Battle Group CHARLIE to the North Arabian Sea aboard US Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in support of Operation EARNEST WILL.

CAPT Fowler received orders in July 1989 to serve as a P-3C Instructor TACCO/Mission Commander at Patrol Squadron 30, the east coast FRS, at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. In 1991, he returned to sea duty as a Department Head and joined the "Batmen" of VP 24 on a tri-site deployment to Iceland, Bermuda, and the Azores.

In May 1993, CAPT Fowler was selected to serve as the Deputy Executive Assistant for the Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO). After completing a 27-month tour in VCNO's ofice, he attended the Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Studies as a selectee for the FY96 Pol/Mil Masters Program.

In May 1996, he received a master's degree in International Public Policy. CAPT Fowler next reported as Executive Officer of the "Fighting Marlins" of Patrol Squadron 40 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, and subsequently assumed command of the squadron in December 1997. During his tenure, VP 40 earned a Meritorious Unit Citation, COMNAVAIRPAC Batte "E," CNO Safety "S," the Golden Wrench, two consecutive Isbell trophies for ASW Excellence from CNO, and deployed twice to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. While in the SEVENTHFLT area of responsibility, he served as Commander, Task Group 72.4.

In August 1999, CAPT Fowler reported as a student to the National War College and graduated in June 2000 with a master's degree in National Security Studies. He subsequently was selected to serve as Special Assistant and Chief Speechwriter for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In the midst of this tour of duty, he was sent to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as the Operations Officer for Task Force 57, in Bahrain, during November/December 2001.

IG Mission: The NRL Inspector General conducts or coordinates all investigations, inspections, or inquiries into matters that affect NRL’s operation and efficiency, including financial responsibility; administrative and management practices; and fraud, waste, and abuse. The IG serves as the principal advisor to the Commanding Officer on all inspection matters and audits, and is the primary point of contact and liaison with all agencies outside NRL. The NRL IG functions under authority of NRL Instruction 5430.1.

Hotlines for reporting waste, fraud and abuse or other misconduct are maintained by Inspectors General at each of the following echelons. All have a policy of maintaining confidentiality to the maximum extent possible.

IG email: fowler@utopia.nrl.navy.mil
Navy IG: 800-522-3451
ONR: 703-696-4279
NRL: 202-767-6543