Bruce Grooms

Rear Admiral Bruce Grooms is Vice Director of the U.S. Joint Staff, and is acting director since the Director, GEN Stanley McChrystal, was promoted to the command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. RADM Grooms is a submarine officer.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in aerospace engineering, then went to nuclear power school. Subsequently, he earned a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, graduating with distinction and he attended Stanford University as a National Security Affairs Fellow.

After nuclear power training, he spent his sea career on submarines, including a tour as executive officer of USS Pasadena (SSN-752) where he twice deployed to the Persian Gulf, and commanding officer of USS Asheville (SSN-758). He subsequently served as commander, Submarine Squadron 6. He also served as deputy director then director, Submarine Warfare Division; senior military assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; and commander, Submarine Group 2.