Rear Admiral Cynthia A. "Cindy" Covell

Rear Adm.Covell assumed the duties of commander, Navy Personnel Command and deputy chief of Naval Personnel in January 2012. She was previously assigned as director, Total Force Requirements Division (OPNAV N12).

A Navy human resources officer, Covell's assignments have been primarily in the areas of manpower, personnel, training and education. She started her career as a communications watch officer serving at the Naval Communications Area Master Station, Wahiawa, Hawaii. Her next tour was as the executive officer at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Los Angeles.

She then served as the plans and policy officer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, followed by a tour as director of the Fleet and Family Support Center, Naval Station Long Beach, Calif. Her next tour was as the executive officer, Naval Technical Training Center, Treasure Island, Calif.

Covell was then assigned as the United States representative to the NATO Eastern Mediterranean Naval Headquarters in Athens, Greece. She then served as the commanding officer, Personnel Support Activity Pacific, in Yokosuka, Japan, where she led 16 detachments in providing pay, personnel and passenger transportation services throughout the Far East. She was then assigned as the program manager for the Base Operating Support program at Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) Headquarters in Pearl Harbor. She then assumed the duties as the deputy director of the Total Force Manpower and Personnel directorate at COMPACFLT.

She then served as commanding officer of the Navy Manpower and Analysis Center, Millington, Tenn., followed by a tour as the executive assistant and naval aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

Covell received her commission via Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., in 1980. In March 2012, she was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral (Upper Half). She is a master training specialist and a certified senior professional in Human Resources. She has a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education and Human Resources Development from George Washington University, and a master's degree in National Security Studies from the Naval War College.

Awards include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal and various other service awards.