James Stavridis

Short Biography

Last Updated October 5, 2016James Stavridis Educator, Military Leader, Admiral(1955–)OCCUPATION Educator, Military Leader, AdmiralBIRTH DATE February 15, 1955 (age 62)EDUCATION U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, United States National War CollegePLACE OF BIRTH West Palm Beach, FloridaFULL NAME James George StavridisJames G. Stavridis was born on February 15, 1955 in West Palm Beach, Florida. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1976, he rose through the ranks as a naval officer, serving for over three decades. His many distinguished appointments include serving as the 16th Supreme Allied Commander at NATO from 2009 to 2013. He also led the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, and was in charge of military operations through Latin America from 2006 to 2009. Over the course of his career, he served as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense and, from 2001 to 2002, he was the first commander of the Navy’s “Deep Blue” strategic and tactical think tank after the 9/11 Pentagon attacks.In addition to his military service, Stavridis has also earned advanced degrees including a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy and a PhD in International Relations. After his retirement from active duty in 2013, Stavridis became the dean of The Fletcher School of Law at Tufts University. He has written six books, including the memoir The Accidental Admiral (2004), and he regularly appears in the media as a commentator on foreign policy and security issues.