Charles J. Leidig

Charles J. Leidig
Charles J. Leidig
Nickname(s)	Joe
Born	April 20, 1956 (age 68); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1978–2013
Rank	Vice Admiral
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with two award stars; Meritorious Service Medal with one award star; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal;

Vice Admiral Charles J. "Joe" Leidig, Jr. (born April 20, 1956), USN was the Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command from August 2010 until June 2013. Leidig retired in September 2013.^[1]

Early life and education

Joe Leidig is one of six children of Charles J. "Chuck" Leidig, Sr. (1932–2006) and Irma Hodson Leidig.^[2]

In 1978 he graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He earned a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College as a distinguished graduate in 1994, and subsequently completed the National Security Management Program at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2001.

Career

Vice Admiral Leidig's operational tours include service in both attack and ballistic missile submarines. He served on USS Henry L. Stimson, USS Sam Rayburn, USS Stonewall Jackson and as executive officer on USS Pogy. He received the David Lloyd Leadership Award and the L.Y. Spear Award upon completion of the Submarine Officer Advanced Course.

In 1994, Vice Admiral Leidig assumed command of USS Cavalla. Under his command Cavalla earned two Meritorious Unit Commendations and in 1996 was awarded the Navy Battle Efficiency ‘E’, Engineering Excellence ‘E’, and Tactical Operations Excellence ‘T’. In 1999, he subsequently served as Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Five where he was the operational commander for the Navy's Deep Submergence Program and the Tactical Development Authority for the Submarine Force's off-hull sensors, Arctic warfare and submarine rescue and escape programs.

Vice Admiral Leidig's staff assignments include service as Material Officer on Submarine Squadron Eleven staff, as Senior Member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as Assistant Deputy Director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff and as Executive Assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff, and two tours at the U.S. Naval Academy as an instructor and later as the 80th Commandant of Midshipmen. While the Commandant, Admiral Leidig was known for advocating positive leadership.