Rear Admiral William G. Sizemore, II

Rear Adm. Sizemore II is third generation Navy, and a second generation Naval Aviator. He grew up in Lemoore, Calif.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and McLean, Va. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1980 and received his wings of gold in March 1982. His current assignment is Chief of Naval Air Training which oversees and conducts all pilot and naval fight officer training for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Previous recent assignments include serving as chief of staff of Commander Naval Air Forces, and chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

Sizemore’s initial assignment was as an advanced Strike instructor at Training Squadron Four in Pensacola, Fla. He then reported to the Grim Reapers of Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Va., for replacement training in the F-14 Tomcat. Sizemore's initial fleet assignment was with the Black Aces of VF-41 with a follow on shore assignment to� the Challengers of VF-43 at NAS Oceana. In January 1991, Sizemore reported back to VF-41 for his department head tour and� participated in combat operations during Operations� Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. He then reported back to VF-101 where he served as operations and maintenance officer. His next assignment was at� the Bureau of Naval Personnel� where he served as� deputy assistant for flag officer detailing. He attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., and then� reported to the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 at NAS Cecil Field, Fla.,� for transition training in the FA-18 Hornet. Sizemore� joined the Sidewinders of VFA-86 in January 1997 as� executive officer and assumed command of the squadron in May 1998. His next assignment was at� the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in Fallon, Nev., where he served as� the training officer and director of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). Sizemore� then reported to� Commander, 2nd Fleet in Norfolk, Va.,� where he served as� deputy chief of staff for Training and Exercises. Sizemore next served as� deputy director of� the Combined Air Operations Center in Al Udeid, Qatar,� in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He then reported to Carrier Air Wing� Eight as deputy commander in March 2003, and assumed command of the air wing in August 2005.

Sizemore has a master's degree in Business Administration from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and a master's degree in National Security Studies from National Defense University in Washington, D.C. He has accumulated over 6,000 flight hours in fighter and strike fighter aircraft and over 1,000 carrier-arrested landings. His individual military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Individual Air Medal with Combat V, Strike Flight Air Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.