Thomas Hall
Encyclopedia
Secretary Thomas F. Hall (born December 17, 1939, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma
) was sworn in as the fourth Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs
on October 9, 2002. A Presidential appointee confirmed by the United States Senate
, he serves as the principal staff assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense
on all matters involving the 1.2 million members of the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces. He is responsible for overall supervision of Reserve Component affairs of the Department of Defense
.
in Annapolis, Maryland
. In 1963, he graduated from the Academy with a bachelor's degree in Engineering and was named as one of the top 25 leaders in his class, having commanded both the top Battalion and Company. He was, also, awarded the Brigade Intramural Sports Trophy. In 1971, he received a master's degree in Public Personnel Management from George Washington University
. He graduated with highest distinction from the Naval War College
; with distinction, from the National War College; and from the National Security Course at Harvard University
. He was selected as a Fellow and served on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group
.
having served almost 34 years of continuous active duty
in the United States Navy
. He is a distinguished and decorated Naval Aviator
, who served a combat tour in Vietnam
. He has performed in numerous high level staff
, command, and NATO positions during his career. He commanded Patrol Squadron EIGHT
, Naval Air Station Bermuda
, and dual-hatted as Commander of Fleet Air Keflavik and the Iceland Defense Force
. His final military assignment was as the Commander/Director/Chief of Naval Reserve
. His military awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
, Defense Superior Service Medal
, Legion of Merit
, Meritorious Service Medal
, Air Medal
, and various other personal and unit decorations. He was awarded the Order of the Falcon
, with Commander's Cross, by the President of Iceland in recognition of his accomplishments and service as Commander Iceland Defense Force. In 2000, he was given the International Partnership Award for his service to the United States and Iceland. He has been inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was given the National Service Award for Leadership by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation. In 2004, he was given the National Citizenship Award by the Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America. In 2005, he was given the Admiral Jackson Award by the Reserve Officers Association
.
of numerous nonprofit organization
s that support the needs of US veterans and citizens in general. Prior to returning to government service, Secretary Hall served as the Executive Director of the Naval Reserve Association for six years. The Naval Reserve Association is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit veterans' organization that represents over 23,000 Navy Reserve officers, members, and their families.
Barnsdall, Oklahoma
Barnsdall is a city in Osage County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,325 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was founded in 1905 and originally named Bigheart, for the Osage Chief James Bigheart. It was initially a 160-acre site along the Midland Valley Railroad in March, 1905...
) was sworn in as the fourth Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs
In the United States military, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, or ASD , serves as Principal Staff Assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, with responsibility for overall...
on October 9, 2002. A Presidential appointee confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, he serves as the principal staff assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
on all matters involving the 1.2 million members of the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces. He is responsible for overall supervision of Reserve Component affairs of the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
.
Education
Secretary Hall attended Oklahoma State University for one year before entering the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
. In 1963, he graduated from the Academy with a bachelor's degree in Engineering and was named as one of the top 25 leaders in his class, having commanded both the top Battalion and Company. He was, also, awarded the Brigade Intramural Sports Trophy. In 1971, he received a master's degree in Public Personnel Management from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. He graduated with highest distinction 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...
; with distinction, from the National War College; and from the National Security Course at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He was selected as a Fellow and served on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group
Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group
The Chief of Naval 0perations Strategic Studies Group was established by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas B. Hayward in 1981. The Group is co-located at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, but receives its direction and makes its reports only to the Chief of...
.
Naval career
Secretary Hall is a retired two-star Rear AdmiralRear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
having served almost 34 years of continuous active duty
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
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 is a distinguished and decorated Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
, who served a combat tour in Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. He has performed in numerous high level staff
General Staff
A military staff, often referred to as General Staff, Army Staff, Navy Staff or Air Staff within the individual services, is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units...
, command, and NATO positions during his career. He commanded Patrol Squadron EIGHT
VP-8
Patrol Squadron Eight is a U.S. Navy land-based patrol squadron that was based at the Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, but is now stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida...
, Naval Air Station Bermuda
Naval Air Station Bermuda
Naval Air Station Bermuda , was located on St. David's Island, Bermuda from 1970 to 1995, on the former site of Kindley Air Force Base...
, and dual-hatted as Commander of Fleet Air Keflavik and the Iceland Defense Force
Iceland Defense Force
The Iceland Defense Force was a military command of the United States armed forces from 1951 to 2006. The IDF, created at the request of NATO, came into existence when the United States signed an agreement to provide for the defense of Iceland, which does not, and did not, have its own unified...
. His final military assignment was as the Commander/Director/Chief of Naval Reserve
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
. His military awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
, Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense 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."...
, 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...
, 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...
, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, and various other personal and unit decorations. He was awarded the Order of the Falcon
Order of the Falcon
The Order of the Falcon or Hin íslenska fálkaorða is a national Order of Iceland, established on July 3, 1921 by King Christian X of Denmark and Iceland.-History and appointments:...
, with Commander's Cross, by the President of Iceland in recognition of his accomplishments and service as Commander Iceland Defense Force. In 2000, he was given the International Partnership Award for his service to the United States and Iceland. He has been inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was given the National Service Award for Leadership by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation. In 2004, he was given the National Citizenship Award by the Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America. In 2005, he was given the Admiral Jackson Award by the Reserve Officers Association
Reserve Officers Association
The Reserve Officers Association is a professional association of officers, former officers, and spouses of all the uniformed services of the United States, primarily the Reserve and National Guard. Chartered by Congress and in existence since 1922, ROA advises and educates the Congress, the...
.
Nonprofit Service
Secretary Hall has served on the Boards of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of numerous nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
s that support the needs of US veterans and citizens in general. Prior to returning to government service, Secretary Hall served as the Executive Director of the Naval Reserve Association for six years. The Naval Reserve Association is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit veterans' organization that represents over 23,000 Navy Reserve officers, members, and their families.