Admiral Richard W. Mies

The United States Strategic Command-an "Insurance Policy for the Nation"

Admiral Richard Mies, U.S. Navy, Commander-in-Chief of the Untied States Strategic Command (STRATCOM) addressed an audience of more than 70 staff members in the EESB on 11 May 2001.

Admiral Mies visited Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for an introduction to the Lab's National Security support capabilities and also as a guest speaker for the Center for Global Security seminar series. Admiral Mies spoke about, "The Future of Deterrence and Nonproliferation." As Commander-in-Chief of USSTRATCOM, Admiral Mies has responsibility for all U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy strategic nuclear forces supporting the national security objective of strategic deterrence.

Admiral Mies discussed the mission of US Strategic Command and the continuing role of nuclear weapons in the US National Security Strategy. In addition, he discussed issues the US and US Strategic Command are facing in the post-Cold War world. As part of his discussion of the Department of Defense's important relationship with the Department of Energy's National Laboratories, Admiral Mies reinforced that the Nation also needs to recruit talented men and women who will maintain the weapons stockpiles, develop technology that will sustain our equipment and enhance communications, and think beyond deterrence. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory plays a critical role in this support for our Nation's security.

Biographical information:

Admiral Mies is Commander in Chief, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The Command has responsibility for all U. S. Air Force and U. S. Navy strategic nuclear forces supporting the national security objective of strategic deterrence.

Admiral Mies graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in mechanical engineering and mathematics.

After completing training for submarine duty he served on two nuclear attack submarines, USS SUNFISH (SSN 649) and USS L MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686), and a ballistic missile submarine, USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN 623) (BLUE), before commanding the nuclear attack submarine USS SEA DEVIL (SSN 664).

He has served in various command positions including Commander Submarine Development Squadron Twelve, Commander Submarine Group EIGHT and Commander Allied Submarines Mediterranean, and Commander Submarine Force U. S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander Submarine Allied Command Atlantic.

His staff positions include duty on the staff of Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Undersea Warfare), Chief of Staff to Commander Submarine Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet, and Director Strategic Target Plans and Deputy Director Plans and Policy on the staff of Commander in Chief, U. S.Strategic
Command.

Admiral Mies has completed post-graduate education at Oxford University, England, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Harvard University. He holds a Masters degree in government administration and international relations. His professional education includes the Flag Officers' Capstone course, the program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at Harvard University, and the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting course.