USNA Homepage
 

Admiral Frank L. "Skip" Bowman is a native of Chattanooga, Tenn. He was commissioned following graduation in 1966 from Duke University. In 1973 he completed a dual master's program in nuclear engineering and naval architecture/marine engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was elected to the Society of Sigma Xi. Adm. Bowman has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Duke University. Admiral Bowman serves on two visiting committees at MIT (Ocean Engineering and Nuclear Engineering), the Engineering Board of Visitors at Duke University, and the Nuclear Engineering Department Advisory Committee at the University of Tennessee.

His early assignments included tours in USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN 641), USS Pogy (SSN 647), USS Daniel Boone (SSBN 629), and USS Bremerton (SSN 698). In 1983, Adm. Bowman took command of USS City Of Corpus Christi (SSN 705), which completed a seven-month circumnavigation of the globe and two special classified missions during his command tour. His crew earned three consecutive Battle Efficiency "E" awards. Adm. Bowman later commanded USS Holland (AS 32) from August 1988 to April 1990. During this period, the Holland crew was awarded two Battle Efficiency "E" awards.

Ashore, Adm. Bowman has served on the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen, in Guam; twice in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in the Submarine Policy and Assignment Division; as the SSN 21 Attack Submarine Program Coordinator on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations; on the Chief of Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group; and as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Naval Warfare). In December 1991, he was promoted to flag rank and assigned as Deputy Director of Operations on the Joint Staff (J-3) until June 1992, and then as Director for Political-Military Affairs (J-5) until July 1994. Adm. Bowman served as Chief of Naval Personnel from July 1994 to September 1996.

Admiral Bowman assumed duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on 27 September 1996, and was promoted to his present rank on 1 October 1996. In this position, he was also Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors in the National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy.  Admiral Bowman retired from the Naval Service in November 2005.

Under his command, his crews have earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation (three awards), the Navy Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon (five awards), the Navy Expeditionary Medal (two awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal (two awards), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three awards), and the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon. His personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with three gold stars), and the Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite from the Government of France.

Source: U.S. Navy Biographies Web Site