Strategy and Policy Directorate (J5)
Rear Admiral John M. Richardson
United States Navy

Rear Adm. John M. Richardson is the director of strategy and policy (J5). In this capacity he and his team help the command accomplish its mission by developing strategy and policy, ensuring that it is within the National Military Strategy and other strategic frameworks.

In addition to numerous sea tours aboard the attack submarines USS Parche, USS Salt Lake City and the ballistic missile submarine USS George C. Marshall, the admiral commanded the attack submarine USS Honolulu and Submarine Development Squadron 12, where the six submarines assigned to the squadron made seven extended deployments including six deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ashore, he has served on the staff of the chief of naval operations, attack submarine division, as naval aide to the President of the United States, and as the prospective commanding officer instructor for the commander of Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

A 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the son of a career submariner, Rear Adm. Richardson also holds master's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National War College.

He wears the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, two Navy Unit Citations, two Meritorious Unit Citations, and five Battle Efficiency 'E' awards. Additionally, during his command tour, Richardson was awarded the 2001 James Bond Stockdale award for inspirational leadership.