The United States Navy

Vice Admiral Gerald L. Hoewing
Chief of Naval Personnel
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower & Personnel)

VAdm. Hoewing portrait
Vice Admiral Gerald L. Hoewing is the 53rd Chief of Naval Personnel. A native of Keokuk, Iowa, Vice Adm. Hoewing graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science degree. He received his commission in May 1971 through the NROTC Scholarship Program and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1972.

Vice Adm. Hoewing received initial Fleet Replacement Pilot training in the A-7E Corsair II light attack aircraft at NAS Lemoore, Calif., and served with Attack Squadrons One Forty-Seven, One Twenty-Two and Ninety-Four, completing several western Pacific deployments in USS Constellation (CV 64) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). In December 1980, he reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Five at Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, Calif., where he served as Operational Test Director for the F/A-18 Hornet Operational Evaluation.

Following A-7E and F-14 refresher training, Vice Adm. Hoewing was assigned as Carrier Air Wing SIX Operations Officer, where he completed three Mediterranean/Indian Ocean deployments onboard USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Forrestal (CV 59). After graduating from the National War College in 1987, he reported as Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron Eighty-One and assumed command of the "Sunliners" in May 1989, where he deployed aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60) during Operation Desert Shield.

Following his squadron command tour, Vice Adm. Hoewing served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Aviation LCDR/Junior Officer Assignment Branch Head. In January 1993 he assumed command of the fast combat logistics support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3), where he deployed to the Mediterranean in support of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group. In January 1995 he became the 20th Commanding Officer of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). He then served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in Washington, D.C.

Vice Adm. Hoewing's first Flag Officer assignment was as the Assistant Commander for Distribution (PERS-4), Navy Personnel Command, where he was responsible for the assignment of more than 370,000 Navy men and women. He assumed command of Carrier Group SEVEN embarked in USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in October 1999 and completed a highly successful deployment to the western Pacific and Arabian Gulf. He commanded the Navy Personnel Command from September 2000 through September 2002.

On 1 October 2002, Vice Adm. Hoewing assumed the duties of Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower & Personnel). Vice Adm. Hoewing is responsible for the planning and programming of manpower and personnel resources, budgeting for Navy personnel, developing systems to manage total force manpower and personnel resources, and assignment of Navy personnel.

Vice Adm. Hoewing plans and directs the procurement, distribution, administration, and career motivation of personnel in the active and reserve Navy, coordinates and controls professional standards criteria, directs manpower and personnel research and development to improve individual and organizational performance, and leads the development and implementation of service-wide programs for improved human relations and Quality of Life.

He is authorized to wear the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and service awards.

Updated: 15 November 2002

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