Bruce E. Grooms
Encyclopedia
Bruce Estes Grooms, is a rear admiral
in the United States Navy
. He previously served as Commander of Submarine Group TWO and currently serves as Vice Director of the Joint Staff
. He has also served as the 81st Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy
, responsible for the military and professional development of the Brigade of Midshipmen.
, Grooms graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science
in Aerospace Engineering
.
He earned a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College
, graduating with distinction and he attended Stanford University
as a National Security Affairs Fellow.
s including a tour as Executive Officer
of USS Pasadena
(SSN 752) where he twice deployed to the Persian Gulf
.
His command tours include service as Commanding Officer of USS Asheville
where he completed an extremely successful Western Pacific deployment. During his tour the ship received the Battle Efficiency "E" award, the Golden Anchor and Silver Anchor for the highest retention in the submarine force. USS Asheville twice earned the Engineering Excellence "E" award, won the Fleet Recreational Award for best quality of life programs, and twice won the Submarine Squadron Three Commodore’s Cup as the best all-around submarine in areas not related to battle efficiency. The ship was the Arleigh Burke
Award finalist for most improved in battle efficiency, and the Pacific Fleet NEY Memorial Award finalist. Grooms subsequently served as Commander, Submarine Squadron Six where he was responsible for operations and maintenance of five fast attack submarines and a floating dry-dock. Additionally, he provided local oversight for two Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN
) undergoing refueling and conversion.
Tours ashore include include service as a Naval Academy Company Officer, the Senior Inspector on the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, service as the Senior Military Aide to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
, and most recently as deputy director then director, Submarine Warfare Division (N87).
He also played varsity basketball for the Midshipman while attending the Naval Academy.
, the Legion of Merit
(five awards), the Meritorious Service Medal
and various campaign and unit awards.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He previously served as Commander of Submarine Group TWO and currently serves as Vice Director of the Joint Staff
Director of the Joint Staff
The Director of the Joint Staff is a three-star officer who assists the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the management of the Joint Staff, an organization composed of approximately equal numbers of officers contributed by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, who have been...
. He has also served as the 81st Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, responsible for the military and professional development of the Brigade of Midshipmen.
Education
Originally from Maple Heights, OhioMaple Heights, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,156 people, 10,489 households, and 6,964 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,039.1 people per square mile . There were 10,935 housing units at an average density of 2,106.7 per square mile...
, Grooms graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
.
He earned a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
, graduating with distinction and he attended Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
as a National Security Affairs Fellow.
Career highlights
Following completion of nuclear power training, he served in nearly every capacity aboard a variety of submarineSubmarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s including a tour as Executive Officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
of USS Pasadena
USS Pasadena (SSN-752)
USS Pasadena , a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Pasadena, California.Pasadena provides the Fleet Commander or Task Force Commander a multi-mission platform...
(SSN 752) where he twice deployed to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
.
His command tours include service as Commanding Officer of USS Asheville
USS Asheville (SSN-758)
USS Asheville , is a Los Angeles-class submarine. She is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Asheville, North Carolina. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 26 November 1984 and her keel was laid...
where he completed an extremely successful Western Pacific deployment. During his tour the ship received the Battle Efficiency "E" award, the Golden Anchor and Silver Anchor for the highest retention in the submarine force. USS Asheville twice earned the Engineering Excellence "E" award, won the Fleet Recreational Award for best quality of life programs, and twice won the Submarine Squadron Three Commodore’s Cup as the best all-around submarine in areas not related to battle efficiency. The ship was the Arleigh Burke
Arleigh Burke
Admiral Arleigh Albert '31-knot' Burke was an admiral of the United States Navy who distinguished himself during World War II and the Korean War, and who served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations.-Early life and naval career:Burke was born in Boulder,...
Award finalist for most improved in battle efficiency, and the Pacific Fleet NEY Memorial Award finalist. Grooms subsequently served as Commander, Submarine Squadron Six where he was responsible for operations and maintenance of five fast attack submarines and a floating dry-dock. Additionally, he provided local oversight for two Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN
SSGN
A cruise missile submarine is a submarine that can launch guided missiles. SSGN is the United States Navy hull classification symbol for a nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine. The SS denotes "Ship, Submersible" , the G denotes "guided missile," and the N denotes "nuclear powered"....
) undergoing refueling and conversion.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is a high level civilian official in the United States Department of Defense. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff assistant and adviser to both the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense for all matters...
, and most recently as deputy director then director, Submarine Warfare Division (N87).
He also played varsity basketball for the Midshipman while attending the Naval Academy.
Awards
Grooms was selected as the Vice Admiral Stockdale Inspirational Leadership Award winner for 1999. He has also been awarded the Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(five awards), the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
and various campaign and unit awards.