Timothy Szymanski

Last updated
Timothy G. Szymanski
Vice Adm. Timothy G. Szymanski.jpg
Born1962 (age 6162)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1985–2021
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held United States Naval Special Warfare Command
Naval Special Warfare Group 2 [1]
SEAL Team 2
Special Boat Unit 26
Battles/wars War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Awards Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal (3)

Timothy Gerard "Tim" Szymanski (born 1962) [2] is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who last served as deputy commander of United States Special Operations Command from October 15, 2018 to December 2021. He is the former commander of United States Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Szymanski is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from the Salesianum School in 1980, where he was a three-year varsity letterman in wrestling and, in 1980, represented the United States in an international AAU Freestyle wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan. [5] He then attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School from 1980 to 1981, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. [6] He completed a Masters of Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy at Joint Advanced Warfighting School. [6]

After receiving his commission in 1985, Szymanski served in the Surface Warfare community and qualified as a surface warfare officer before transitioning to the SEALs. [3] [5] He volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) graduating with Class 161 in 1989. [7] Following SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of six month probationary period, he received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia also known as "SEAL Trident".

Szymanski's Naval Special Warfare (NSW) and operational assignments include platoon commander and task unit commander at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. In 1992, Szymanski volunteered for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) in Damneck, Virginia, and completed a specialized selection and training course known as Green Team[ citation needed ]. He served as troop commander, squadron commander and current operations officer with the command until 1997. Szymanski was selected as commanding officer of Special Boat Unit 26 and later returned to NSWDG for a 2nd tour as unit operations officer from 2000 to 2002. As a commander, Szymanski served as commanding officer of SEAL Team 2 from 2002 to 2004. Szymanski's staff assignments include officer community manager for NSW and enlisted community manager for SEALs, Navy Divers, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians, and special warfare combatant craft crewmen (SWCC). He served on the Joint Staff as the J3 deputy directorate for Special Operations as the Global War on Terror branch chief and as chief staff officer of Pakistan-Afghanistan Coordination Cell. [6]

Szymanski commanded a O6-level Joint Task Force in Afghanistan, served as deputy unit commander of Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2007 to 2008 and commanded Naval Special Warfare Group TWO from 2009 to 2011. He served as deputy commanding general sustainment to Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan/NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan. [8]

On 3 August 2016, Szymanski succeeded Rear Admiral Brian L. Losey as commander, Naval Special Warfare Command. His prior assignment was the assistant to the commander of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. [3] [5]

On 19 July 2018, Szymanski was nominated for promotion to vice admiral, [9] but his next assignment was not disclosed at the time.

He retired from active duty in December 2021. [10]

Awards and decorations

Szymanski has received multiple awards and recognitions: [3]

United States Navy Special Warfare insignia.png
Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg Bronze Star ribbon.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
1 golden star.svg
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg
Combat Action Ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg
Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 2nd award.svg
Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg
Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Silver-service-star-3d.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg
NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg
Surface Warfare Officer Insignia.png
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia-redone.png
Navy CaS.png
Badge SEAL Insignia
1st Row Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal w/ three bronze oak leaf clusters
2nd Row Legion of Merit Medal w/ 2 gold award stars Bronze Star w/ 2 award stars Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 oak leaf cluster
3rd Row Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
4th Row Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 bronze service star Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ oak leaf cluster
5th Row Navy Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy E Ribbon w/ 2 Battle "E" devices
6th Row Navy Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
7th Row Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2 campaign stars Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
8th Row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 7 service stars Overseas Service Ribbon
9th row NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia Rifle Marksmanship Medal Pistol Marksmanship Medal
Badge Surface Warfare Officer Insignia
Badge Naval Parachutist insignia
Badge Command at Sea insignia
Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

In 2015, Szymanski was inducted into Salesianum School's hall of fame. [5]

Controversies

Szymanski found himself embroiled in debate about the decision to award the Medal of Honor to U.S. Air Force combat controller, Master Sergeant John A. Chapman. [11] It is established Admiral Szymanski undertook his course of action to protect the reputation of his SEAL community.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert M. Calland III</span> US Navy admiral and Navy SEAL (1952–2023)

Albert Melrose Calland III was a vice admiral in the United States Navy who was the deputy director for Strategic Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center and commander of Naval Special Warfare Command from 2002 to 2004. He also previously served as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from July 2005 to July 2006 and commanded the Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 1997 to 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph D. Kernan</span> Retired United States Navy admiral (born 1955)

Joseph Devereux Kernan is a retired United States Navy vice admiral and the former under secretary of defense for intelligence. His last military assignment was serving as the military deputy commander of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), Miami, Florida, from May 23, 2011, to September 2013. He was the second-in-command of one of nine unified commands under the Department of Defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric T. Olson</span> U.S. Navy admiral (born 1952)

Eric Thor Olson is a retired United States Navy admiral who last served as the eighth Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) from July 2, 2007 to August 8, 2011. He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command from 2003 to July 2007. Olson was the first Navy SEAL ever to be appointed to three-star and four-star flag rank, as well as the first naval officer to be USSOCOM's combatant commander. He took command from Army General Bryan D. Brown in 2007. Brown and Olson had served together at the SOCOM headquarters in Tampa for four years. He retired from active duty on August 22, 2011 after over 38 years of service. He relinquished command of SOCOM to Admiral William H. McRaven the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Harward</span> United States Navy admiral (born 1956)

Robert Stiles Harward, Jr., known as Bob Harward, is a retired United States Navy SEAL and a former Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command, under the leadership command of General James Mattis. After working as a Chief Executive at Lockheed Martin for eight years, he joined Shield AI as Executive Vice President for International Business and Strategy. He also served as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command and previously commanded Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEAL Team Six</span> One of the United States two secretive tier-one counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units

The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), abbreviated as DEVGRU[note A] and commonly known as SEAL Team Six, is the United States Navy component of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). The unit is often referred to within JSOC as Task Force Blue. DEVGRU is administratively supported by Naval Special Warfare Command and operationally commanded by JSOC. Most information concerning DEVGRU is designated as classified, and details of its activities are not usually commented on by either the United States Department of Defense or the White House. Despite the official name changes, "SEAL Team Six" remains the unit's widely recognized moniker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott P. Moore</span> American retired naval officer (born 1960)

Scott P. Moore, is a retired Rear Admiral of the United States Navy. Moore is a former member of SEAL Team TWO and previously served as commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2007 to 2009. He is an Admiral Circle member for the exhibit SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice. He is active in the Navy SEAL Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. Gardner Howe III</span> United States admiral (born 1962)

Philip Gardner Howe III is a retired United States Navy vice admiral and Navy SEAL. His assignment prior to retirement in 2019 was associate director for military affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency. He previously served as the 55th President of the Naval War College, and was the first SEAL officer to hold this assignment. Prior to that, Howe was the Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean A. Pybus</span> Retired US Navy admiral (born 1957)

Sean Averell Pybus is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who last served as the deputy Commander, United States Special Operations Command from 2014 to 2016. He previously served as the Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command from 2011 to 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collin P. Green</span> American military official (born 1962)

Collin Patrick Green is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who last served as the deputy commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2021 to 2024. He most recently served as Chief of Staff of the United States Special Operations Command. He graduated and was commissioned from the United States Naval Academy in 1986. Green also holds degrees from the Catholic University of America and United States Naval War College. He is a naval special warfare officer and previously served as commander of United States Special Operations Command South from 2016 to June 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Krongard</span> American Navy admiral (born 1962)

Alexander L. Krongard is a retired United States Navy SEAL. He retired from the United States Navy as a rear admiral in 2016 after 31 years of military service. He served as the Deputy Commander of United States Africa Command and previously commanded Naval Special Warfare Group ONE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Davids</span> American naval admiral (born 1968)

Keith Bently Davids is an American United States Navy special warfare officer with the rank of rear admiral. He has served as the commander of Naval Special Warfare Command since August 19, 2022. He was the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command South, United States Southern Command from 2020 to 2022. Previously, he served as director of the White House Military Office during the Presidency of Donald Trump. Earlier in his career, he was commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Center and SEAL Team One.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin J. Kilrain</span> US Navy vice-admiral (born 1958)

Colin James Kilrain is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who last served as the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 20, 2021 to February 2023. He previously served as the associate director for military affairs (ADMA) for the Central Intelligence Agency from 2019 to 2021. He is the former commander of Special Operations Command Pacific and Naval Special Warfare Group Two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene H. Black III</span> US Navy admiral

Eugene Henry Black III is a United States Navy vice admiral and career surface warfare officer who serves as the deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy since October 7, 2022. He previously served as the 30th Commander of United States Sixth Fleet, deputy commander of United States Naval Forces Europe, deputy commander of United States Naval Forces Africa, and as the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander from June 2020 to September 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton Sands III</span> U.S. Navy admiral, Navy SEAL

Milton James Sands III is a United States Navy rear admiral and Navy SEAL who has served as the chief of staff of United States Special Operations Command since August 2023. He most recently served as the commander of Special Operations Command Africa from July 1, 2021 to July 21, 2023. Prior to that he served as commander of the Naval Service Training Command from April 25, 2019 to May 27, 2021. Prior to that, he served as vice president of the Joint Special Operations University from 2018 to 2019, with prior tours as commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group 2 from 2016 to 2018 and commander of Seal Team 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Vasely</span> U.S. Navy admiral (born 1967)

Peter Gerard Vasely is a United States Navy rear admiral who serves as deputy director for future joint force development of the Joint Staff since June 3, 2022. He served as a special assistant to the Director of the Navy Staff from November 4, 2021 to June 3, 2022. Before that, he served as the Director of Operations of the Defense Intelligence Agency from November 2019 to 2021 and then as the Commander of Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan and NATO Special Operations Component Command–Afghanistan from May 17 to August 31, 2021. Vasely is a Navy SEAL officer and former member of SEAL Team ONE and Development Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank M. Bradley</span> U.S. Navy admiral

Frank Mitchell Bradley is a United States Navy vice admiral and commander of Joint Special Operations Command since August 10, 2022. He most recently served as the commander of Special Operations Command Central from July 20, 2020 to July 1, 2022. Prior to that, he served as the assistant commander of Joint Special Operations Command from 2018 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugh W. Howard</span> U.S. Navy admiral

Hugh W. Howard III is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who commanded the United States Naval Special Warfare Command from September 11, 2020 until August 19, 2022. He was previously the Commander of Special Operations Command Central from July 19, 2018, to July 20, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark A. Schafer</span> U.S. Navy admiral

Mark A. Schafer is a United States Navy rear admiral who currently serves as Commanding General, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Central, United States Central Command. Schafer recently served as Commander, United States Naval Forces Korea from Sept 2021 to Sept 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeromy B. Williams</span> U.S. Navy admiral

Jeromy B. Williams is a United States Navy rear admiral who as of 2024, is serving as Deputy Director, Special Operations and Counterterrorism, J-3, Joint Staff.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from Rear Admiral Tim Szymanski. United States Navy.

  1. Parker, William S. (August 30, 2012). "Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Holds Change of Command". Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Public Affairs. No. NNS120830-16. United States Navy. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  2. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1 October 1990. p. 109. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Myers, Meghann (1 March 2016). "Former SEAL Team 6 deputy tapped to lead Navy SEALs". Navy Times. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  4. Naval Special Warfare Editor (4 August 2016). "Naval Special Warfare Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony". Naval Special Warfare Command. Retrieved 14 January 2017.{{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Hall of Fame 2015". Salesianum School. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 "Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski". U. S. Navy Biographies. United States Navy. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  7. "Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski". U.S. Navy. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2020-11-19. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  8. "Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski". Archived from the original on 2021-10-18. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  9. "PN2321 – Rear Adm. Timothy G. Szymanski – Navy". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  10. "EC2423 — Executive Communication, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  11. Naylor, Sean D. (2018-05-07). "The Ghost in the Radio". Newsweek. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
Military offices
Preceded by
???
Assistant Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command
201?–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command
2016–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander of the United States Special Operations Command
2018–2021