Admiral John Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He also holds master’s degrees in electrical engineering from MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and National Security Strategy from the National War College. At sea, Admiral Richardson served on USS PARCHE (SSN 683), USS GEORGE C. MARSHALL (SSBN 654), and USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN 716). He commanded USS HONOLULU (SSN 718) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Admiral Richardson also served as Commodore of Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 12; Commander, Submarine Group 8; Commander, Submarine Allied Naval Forces South; Deputy Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; Chief of Staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa; Commander, Naval Submarine Forces; and Director of Naval Reactors.

His staff assignments include duty in the Attack Submarine Division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff; Naval Aide to the President; prospective commanding officer instructor for Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Assistant Deputy Director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff; and Director of Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Admiral Richardson served on teams that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Navy “E” Ribbon. He was awarded the Vice Admiral Stockdale Award for his time in command of USS HONOLULU. Admiral Richardson assumed duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on November 2, 2012. He served as the 31st Chief of Naval Operations from September 2015 to August 2019. Admiral Richardson retired in August 2019 after 37 years of service.