Capt. John Hale, a native of Kingsport, TN, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. He completed initial nuclear propulsion training in Charleston, SC, and Ballston Spa, NY, and completed Joint Professional Military Education (Phase I) via the Air Command and Staff College.
Hale’s initial sea tour was onboard USS La Jolla (SSN 701), where he served as Main Propulsion Assistant and Communicator. Early in this tour, he deployed onboard USS Memphis (SSN 691) during a Northern Atlantic Deployment. During his time onboard the La Jolla crew completed an Engineered Refueling Overhaul in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, conducted a homeport change to Pearl Harbor, HI, and completed a deployment to the Western Pacific. During his Department Head tour, Hale served as Navigator on board USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), Navigator onboard USS Tucson (SSN 770), and as Engineer Officer onboard USS Greeneville (SSN 772). He completed one Western Pacific Deployment onboard Tucson and one Western Pacific Deployment while onboard Greeneville, and conducted a homeport change to take Greeneville into a Depot Modernization Period in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He served as Executive Officer onboard USS Nevada (SSBN 733)(Blue Crew) from November 2010 to November 2012, completing three Strategic Deterrent Patrols. Hale was the Commanding Officer, USS Kentucky (SSBN 737)(Blue Crew), from April 2015 until November 2017, taking the ship through return-to-service milestones after an Engineered Refueling Overhaul and conducting four Strategic Deterrent Patrols.
Hale’s previous shore duty assignments were at the Office of Naval Intelligence as a mission analyst in the Submarine Warfare Operations Research Department (SWORD); at Navy Personnel Command (PERS-42) as the Submarine Department Head Sea Duty Detailer; on the staff of the Director, Strategic Systems Programs in the Operations, Evaluation, and Training Branch (SP205); as a Deputy Commander at both Submarine Squadrons SEVENTEEN and NINETEEN; and on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet as the Director for Strategic Forces.
Last Updated: 17 February 2023