James P. Waters

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

Rear Admiral James Waters is a native of Ellington, Connecticut, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 with a degree in Systems Engineering. He completed graduate studies at Oxford University in 1991.

His sea tours include various division officer assignments on USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730G), engineering officer on USS Philadelphia (SSN 690) and executive officer on USS Alabama (SSBN 731B). He commanded USS Virginia (SSN 774) and Submarine Squadron 4.

His staff assignments include operations officer at Submarine Squadron 2, engineer at Submarine Squadron 3, submarine executive officer detailer, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron 1, battle watch commander and chief of staff for U.S. Strategic Command’s Director of Global Operations (J3), CNO Strategic Studies Group 35, and as deputy executive director for the Chief of Naval Personnel.

As a flag officer, his tours include Director, Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, Submarine Group 2 in Norfolk, Virginia, and Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy, OPNAV (N13) in Arlington, Virginia.

RADM Waters assumed his current duties in March 2024 as Commander, Navy Recruiting Command in Millington, TN.