Rear Admiral Michael Gilday

Rear Adm. Gilday assumed duties as chief of staff for Striking and Support Forces NATO in June 2012.

Gilday is a native of Massachusetts and a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, specializing in international relations. He also holds a master’s degree in National Security Strategy as a distinguished graduate of the National War College in Washington, D.C.

A surface warfare officer, his tours at sea include command of Destroyer Squadron Seven as sea combat commander for the Ronald Reagan carrier strike group. He also commanded the destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS Benfold (DDG 65). Both ships received the Battle Efficiency Award as best in squadron. Higgins was involved in the initial combat operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Northern Arabian Gulf. He served as executive officer in USS Gettysburg (CG 64) during Operation Desert Fox in the Arabian Gulf, and as weapons & combat systems officer in USS Princeton (CG 59) during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. During that period, Princeton earned the combat action ribbon for battle damage sustained by Iraqi mines. He also made two deployments to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf on USS Chandler (DDG 996) supporting maritime escort operations during Operation Earnest Will.

Gilday’s shore assignments include the Bureau of Naval Personnel, where he served as the assistant surface captain assignment officer, and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (N3/5). He also served on the staff of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

His joint assignments include the White House where he served as naval aide to the President and the Joint Staff as executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. His first flag assignment was director of Operations at NATO’s Joint Force Command in Lisbon, Portugal.

Gilday’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat ‘V’, Combat Action Ribbon, and additional individual, campaign, and unit awards.