Rear Admiral Harold "Hal" Pittman

Rear Adm. Pittman is a career naval officer who has served in military communication leadership roles around the world for more than 20 years. Most recently, he spent a year as deputy chief of staff for communication for the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan, and prior to that, served as communication director at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Fla., and Doha, Qatar.

Pittman has previously served as acting deputy assistant Secretary of Defense (Joint Communication); commanded the Joint Public Affairs Support Element; and served as a special assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has completed multiple assignments in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, including deployments aboard USS America (CV 66), two assignments with U.S. 5th Fleet staff in Bahrain, and service as senior military spokesman in Aden, Yemen, following a suicide attack by al-Qaeda on USS Cole (DDG 67) in 2000. His creative teams have won various media industry awards, including the Public Relations Society of America Silver and Bronze Anvils, the International Association of Business Communicators’ Gold Quill, and the Folio Show Editorial Excellence Award "The Eddy." In 2005, Pittman was recognized by PR News as their Government Public Relations Person of the Year, and in 2007, received the American Business Award "The Stevie" as America’s Best Corporate Communicator. In 2012, he was named "Advisor for Life" to the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee for his efforts assisting Afghan sports federations through a sports diplomacy program he created in partnership with the U.S. embassy in Kabul.

Pittman is a graduate of Appalachian State University, holds a Master of Arts degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University, and was a Seminar XXI Fellow with Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for International Studies. He is also a graduate of executive education programs at Harvard University, Georgetown University, University of Virginia and the Center for Creative Leadership. He enlisted in the Navy as a journalist, and was commissioned through Navy Officer Candidate School as a supply corps officer, serving initially as assistant supply and disbursing officer aboard the Pearl Harbor-based frigate USS Davidson (FF 1045).

Pittman’s military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (4 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards).