| Carol M. Pottenger | |
|---|---|
Vice Admiral Carol M. Pottenger |
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1977-present |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | USS Shasta (AE 33), USS Bridge (AOE 10), Amphibious Force 7th Fleet/ESG 7, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (6 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards) and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards) |
Vice Admiral Carol M. Pottenger is currently the deputy chief of staff Capability and Development at NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia.[1]
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Vice Adm. Pottenger is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Saint Petersburg, Florida. She graduated in 1977 from Purdue University.[1]
Vice Adm. Pottenger earned her commission in 1977 through Naval ROTC. One of the first women selected for sea duty, Pottenger reported aboard USS Yosemite (AD-19) as engineering division officer and completed a Mediterranean deployment. Subsequent sea tours included assignment as operations officer aboard USS Yellowstone (AD-41) and executive officer aboard USS Kiska (AE-35). Pottenger assumed command of USS Shasta (AE-33) in 1996, completing several deployments in support of commander 5th Fleet and commander 7th Fleet. She took command of USS Bridge (AOE-10) in 2001, and during an extended deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, re-supplied 10 battle groups, amphibious groups and dozens of coalition ships; receiving the Battle E and the 2002 Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy.[1]
Shore tours have included assignment to commander, Service Group 2 as staff communications officer; assignment to the United States Naval Academy as the 25th company officer; commanding officer of two Navy Operational Support Centers in Mare Island, and San Diego, California. She also served as COMNAVSURFRESFOR deputy chief of staff for Manpower, institutionalizing manpower and personnel best practices across a force of 65,000 Reservists.[1]
During several tours in the Pentagon, Pottenger served as executive assistant for director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N86); executive assistant to deputy chief of naval operations (Resources, Requirements & Assessments) (OPNAV N8); executive assistant to vice chief of naval operations. Upon selection to flag rank she served as deputy chief of Navy Reserve for one year.
In November 2005 Pottenger established a new Navy command, creating a type commander for over 40 combat logistics and special mission ships. She served for one year as the first commander, Military Sealift Fleet Support Command. In November 2006, Pottenger became the first female admiral to command a strike group when she assumed command of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet/ESG 7 at White Beach, Okinawa, aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) . In September 2008, Pottenger became the third commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command which had a strength of 40,000 sailors.[1]
In May 2007, Pottenger received a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences Honoris Causa from Purdue University.[1]
Her personal awards include the: Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (6 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal [1]
Women in the United States Navy
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