Admiral Richard W. Mies, USN (Ret.)

Before coming to the Naval Academy Rich spent a memorable year at Ohio State University. At Navy, varsity athletics took up a good portion of Rick’s time as he was an all-league end on the 150 lb. football team and a fine varsity wrestler. The classroom was no exception to his story of achievement as he ranked at the top of his class and majored in Mathematics and Engineering. Noted for his “outstanding” study habits and long stretches on the blue trampoline, Rich could often be found tutoring, engaged in a bull session, or participating in his myriad activities. With his easy going personality and enthusiastic determination, success is sure to remain with him.

Rich’s Trident Scholar Research was titled, “The Development of Calibration Techniques for a Flush-Mounted Hot-Film Anemometer in the Study of Turbulent Boundary Layers."  

...& Now

As a scholar, athlete, and leader, Admiral Richard W. Mies ’67, USN (Ret.), exemplifies the mission of the U.S. Naval Academy. After earning accolades in wrestling and 150-lb. football, serving as Deputy Brigade Commander and graduating first in his class, he embarked on a distinguished career in the submarine force.

Following service in both attack and missile submarines, Admiral Mies commanded the attack submarine SEA DEVIL, followed by command of Submarine Development Squadron Twelve. As Chief of Staff, Pacific Submarine Force, he helped oversee submarine support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As Commander, Submarine Group Eight and Commander, Allied Submarines, Mediterranean he directed all submarine operations in Operation Sharp Guard. As Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander, Submarine Allied Command, Atlantic he oversaw many sensitive national security missions and strategic deterrent patrols.

In his final assignment as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strategic Command he was responsible for the command and control of the nation’s strategic forces. He was directly involved in formulation of proposals leading to the 2002 Moscow Treaty and also provided support to President Bush on 11 September 2001.

Following retirement Admiral Mies served as a senior executive of Science Applications International Corporation before forming his own consulting corporation. He also served as chairman of the Department of Defense Threat Reduction Advisory Committee and the Navy Mutual Aid Association. He presently serves as the chairman of the U.S. Strategic Command Advisory Group and the Naval Submarine League, a member of the National Academy of Sciences’ committee on international security, a governor of Los Alamos and Livermore National Laboratories and a director of the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation and the U.S. Naval Institute.

He completed post-graduate education at Oxford University, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Harvard University and holds a master’s degree in government administration and international relations.

A qualified naval aviation observer, his many decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and Secretary of Energy Gold Medal.