BIOGRAPHY OF GUEST SPEAKER,

ADMIRAL HENRY G. CHILES, JR., USN (Ret.)

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Admiral Chiles graduated with

distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1960.    

Following commissioning, he served aboard USS BORIE (DD 704). 

In September 1961 he began submarine training followed by nuclear propulsion training.

From April 1963 to January 1966, he served aboard the nuclear powered submarine, USS TRITON (SSN 586), in the Engineering Department. He then was Engineer aboard USS TECUMSEH (SSBN 628) (BLUE). From March 1968 to June 1970 he was Material Officer on the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN in Guam, responsible for engineering aboard all Pacific ballistic missile submarines.

In 1970 he reported aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit DRUM (SSN 677) as the Executive Officer and remained with the DRUM after commissioning until 1973. He studied at Oxford University in England as a CNO Scholar in politics, philosophy, and economics, receiving a Master of Arts degree.

Admiral Chiles reported aboard USS GURNARD (SSN 662) in February 1976 and, after an under ice Arctic Ocean deployment, assumed command in May 1976. He served aboard  GURNARD until March 1980 conducting a refueling overhaul in record time and a WESTPAC deployment. From April 1980 until July 1983, Admiral Chiles assisted the Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (Admirals Rickover and McKee), conducting fleet liaison and directing the Prospective Commanding Officer’s Course.

From August 1983 to July 1985 he served as Commander, Submarine Squadron THREE, and from July 1985 to June 1986 as Commander, Naval Training Center, San Diego. He then was Director, Strategic Submarine Division, and Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Undersea Warfare) until reporting as Commander, Submarine Group EIGHT (CTF 64, 66 and 69) and COMSUBMED (NATO) in Naples, Italy, in July 1988. In December 1990, he assumed duties as Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and as Commander, Submarines Allied Command Atlantic (NATO). 

Admiral Chiles became the Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command, in September 1993. He relieved as Commander, U. S. Strategic Command, in February 1994 with responsibility for all U.S. Air Force and Navy strategic nuclear weapon forces supporting the national security objective of deterrence.  He was the first officer from a service other than the Air Force to have this assignment.

He retired in from active duty in 1996. Admiral Chiles chaired the Commission on Maintaining United States Nuclear Weapons Expertise, chaired the National Nuclear Security Administration Advisory Board, was a member of the Ballistic Missile Defense Advisory Board, served as the Professor of Leadership at the U. S. Naval Academy from June 1999-Jan 2003, served on the Board of Directors of Marine Mechanical Corporation, is a Senior Mentor in the National Defense University Capstone Course (for newly selected flag/general officers), chairs the Defense Science Board Task Force on Nuclear Deterrent Skills, chairs the U.S. Strategic Command, Strategic Advisory Group Next Generation Underwater Launch Missile System task force  and serves on a variety of non-profit and technical advisory boards.

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