Served in afloat assignments on ships throughout the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East through thirty-four years of duty, retiring in the grade of Vice Admiral. Duty stations included service as Operational Intelligence Officer for the U.S. Pacific Fleet at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, senior intelligence officer for the U.S. Second Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic, and Director for Intelligence, Joint Forces Command. For his last ten years on active duty, he served as Vice Director for Intelligence on the Joint Staff, Director of Naval Intelligence, and Director of NGA.