Rear Adm. Kriete is the deputy director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He reported in September 2012 and� is responsible for the development of the nation's strategic war plan, strategic support plans for theater combatant commanders and contingency planning for the global strike mission.

In his previous flag assignment, he served as the deputy director Force Employment at United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF) where he was responsible for the fulfillment of USFF and Task Force Twenty (TF-20) operational missions and tasks, as well as U.S. Navy Global Force Management (GFM) and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP). Kriete was selected for flag rank in May 2011.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Kriete is a 1984 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he majored in General Engineering. Following commissioning, he completed Naval Nuclear Power training in Orlando, Fla., and Ballston Spa, N.Y. He holds a master’s in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.

At sea, he served as a division officer onboard USS Finback (SSN 670); engineer, navigator/operations, and weapons officer onboard USS Flying Fish (SSN 673); executive officer of USS Kentucky (SSBN 737)(Gold); commanding officer of USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740)(Blue), and commander, Submarine Squadron Six. During his tour as commanding officer, Rhode Island (Blue) received the Commander, Submarine Squadron 16 Battle Efficiency Award for 2003, 2004, and 2005, the Trident Outstanding Performance Award for 2003 and 2004, and several departmental awards.

His shore and staff assignments include: assistant force special operations officer on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force U.S Atlantic Fleet; Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board member on the Staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Nuclear Operations Division’s staff officer on the Joint Staff; senior member of the SUBLANT Tactical Readiness Evaluation team, and prospective commanding officer (PCO) instructor on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic. While assigned to the Navy Staff from 2008 to 2010, he started the Ohio (SSBN) Replacement program and served as representative to the Nuclear Posture Review and the New START Treaty. He later served as the chief of staff to Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic and Commander Task Force 144 and deputy commander, Allied Submarine Command.

Kriete’s decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy Unit Commendation (two awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards) and Battle Efficiency "E" (five awards).