Vice Adm. Giardina assumed duties as deputy commander of United States Strategic Command in December 2011.

Giardina is a 1979 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a graduate of CAPSTONE, PINNACLE, and numerous Navy business and joint warfighting courses, and holds an advanced degree in Business Administration.

He most recently served as deputy commander and chief of staff, United States Pacific Fleet. His most recent command assignment was as commander, Submarine Group Trident, Submarine Group Nine, and Submarine Group 10 where he was responsible for all 18 U.S. Trident Submarines.

Following selection for flag rank in 2005, Giardina served as director of Information, Plans and Security, and Director of Current Operations (N31) on the Navy Staff until October 2007, and later as deputy chief of staff for Readiness and Training at U. S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. His last assignment before promotion to flag rank was as chief of staff, U.S. 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan. While assigned to 7th Fleet, he was assigned additional duties as deputy commander and chief of staff for Joint Task Force 515 in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

As a career submarine officer, Giardina has served on both fast attack and ballistic missile submarines in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets including command of USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold), and duty in USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) as executive officer. He commanded Submarine Squadron 17 in Bangor, Wash., which included 10 Trident submarines, from July 2001 to July 2003.

Giardina’s shore assignments included duty as senior member of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team and Combat Systems Training Team on the Staff of Commander, Submarine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. He served as deputy director of Future Operations (J35) on the staff of U. S. Joint Forces Command as Submarine Junior Officer detailer at Naval Personnel Command, and as a member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board on the staff of the Commander, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

Giardina has been awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (six awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various campaign and unit awards.