Richard Breckenridge

At a glance

Richard Breckenridge is a retired Navy vice admiral whose service included submarine command, undersea-warfare planning and senior fleet leadership before his assistant-secretary nomination.

Summary sources: [1] [3] [2]

Career and documented accomplishments

• Commanded the attack submarine USS Memphis, Submarine Squadron 4 and Submarine Group 2. [1]
• Held Navy staff assignments including director of Undersea Warfare and director of Warfare Integration, as well as a Joint Staff J8 chief-of-staff assignment. [1]
• His final active-duty assignment was deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. [1]
• Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 in aerospace engineering and holds Naval Postgraduate School master's degrees in engineering acoustics and electrical engineering. [1]

Role and nomination context

• The White House transmitted his nomination to be an assistant secretary of the Navy on September 14, 2026; that notice alone does not establish confirmation or appointment. [2]

Sources and review date

Career and role sources reviewed Oct 14, 2026. These sources may describe developments beyond the nomination snapshot; each nomination entry retains its recorded date and outcome.

1. Vice Admiral Richard Breckenridge retired-officer biography

   U.S. Navy. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.

2. Nominations sent to the Senate, September 14, 2026

   White House. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.

3. White House sends Cao's SECNAV nomination to Senate

   Breaking Defense. Reviewed Oct 14, 2026.