Rear Admiral Robert L. Thomas, Jr.

Rear Adm. Thomas assists the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, in executing his duties as principal adviser to the president and secretary of defense.

Before rejoining the Joint Staff, Thomas commanded Submarine Group Seven in Yokosuka, Japan. As commander, Task Force 74 and commander, Task Force 54, he was responsible for coordinating and controlling submarine and anti-submarine warfare activities in the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The son of a career Marine, Thomas graduated from the University of California with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He holds a Master of Science in National Security Studies from the National War College.

As a career submarine officer, Thomas has served on fast-attack submarines operating in both U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command theaters of operation. His assignments included USS Guitarro (SSN 665), USS Permit (SSN 594), USS Asheville (SSN 758) and USS Bremerton (SSN 698) where he served as commanding officer. Additionally, he took command of USS Tucson (SSN 770) while serving as deputy commander, Submarine Squadron 11. Thomas served as commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Representative West Coast and commander, Submarine Squadron 11 from April 2004 through July 2005.

Ashore, Thomas served as flag aide to the deputy chief of naval operations (OP-07); program analyst in the Secretary of the Navy’s Office of Program Appraisal; director of Operational Support (CNO N23); assistant deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs, Western Hemisphere, J5, on the Joint Staff; director, Plans and Policy (N5) for Naval Special Warfare Command; director, Strategy and Policy Division (OPNAV N51); and, most recently, Vice Director of Operations, J3, on the Joint Staff.