Breakfast Event

Rear Admiral Robert C. Nowakowski is a native of Chicago, Illinois and is the son of a Korean/Vietnam War veteran and grandson of a World War II veteran. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from San Diego State University, Master of Business Administration from California State University San Marcos, and a Technical Engineer Program Management Certification from Stanford University. Nowakowski earned his Joint Professional Military Education from the Air University’s Air Command and Staff College and Joint Forces Staff College. He is a graduate of the Navy Senior Leadership Seminar course and a member of the Secretary of the Navy’s National Navy Reserve Policy Board.

At sea, he served as auxiliaries/electrical officer, first lieutenant and assistant operations officer aboard USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) on two combat deployments in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch. Ashore, he was the course manager for the battle group/task group anti-submarine warfare (ASW) courses at Fleet ASW Training Center Pacific.

Affiliating with the Navy Reserve in 2000, Nowakowski’s tours include service as training officer, U.S. 3rd Fleet Naval Cooperation and Protection of Shipping; training officer, Military Sealift Command (MSC) Pacific; communications officer and maritime information team curriculum development officer, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping Detachment Delta; operations officer, MSC Central; reserve chief of staff, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and deputy commander, Navy Region Southwest Reserve Component Command. Additionally, as deputy director, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), he was responsible for the reserve manning, training and equipping of the 1000-billet LCS surface reserve force enterprise for two years.

His mobilizations include deputy branch chief, engagements division (J5E) and director of training (J7), Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa in Djibouti, Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His four reserve unit command tours include LCS Seaframe Detachment 103; U.S. 3rd Fleet Joint Forces Maritime Component Command Detachment Phoenix; Commander, Navy Region Southwest Regional Operations Center; and Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters. As a flag officer, Nowakowski served previously as deputy commander, Naval Education and Training Command and deputy commander, Navy Recruiting Command; the Navy’s Global Mine Warfare commander; commander, Task Force LCS; and reserve vice commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet.