2025 Awardees
ADM Kirkland H. Donald, USN (Ret)
for Lifetime Contributions to the Nation.
ADM Donald served the Navy and his country as a submarine officer for 37 years, commanding at every level. After nuclear power training he served on USS BATFISH (SSN 681), USS MARIANO G. VALLEJO (SSBN 658), and USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669). He served as Commanding Officer of USS KEY WEST (SSN 722). He next was assigned as Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Twelve. From June 2002 to July 2003 he was assigned as Commander, Submarine Group Eight; Commander, Submarine Force Sixth Fleet (CTF 69); Commander, Submarines Allied Naval Forces South; and Commander, Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Force (CTF 164). He then served as Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander, Allied Submarine Command, Atlantic; and Commander, Task Forces 84 and 144 in Norfolk, VA. ADM Donald’s major shore assignments include the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and on the staff of the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion. He also served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, on the Joint Staff, and as Deputy Chief of Staff for C4I, Resources, Requirements and Assessments for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He assumed the role of Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program from November 2004 to November 2012, and retired on 01 January 2013. After his Navy career, Admiral Donald completed an assignment for the Australian Cabinet as a member of the Independent Submarine Capability Assessment Panel evaluating the long-term viability of the Royal Australian Navy’s Submarine Force. He also served as a member of the Cabinet-chartered Submarine Advisory Committee focused on sustainment of existing capability and introduction of a new class of submarines over the next several decades.
It is most appropriate that his dedicated service and support for the country is recognized by the Naval Submarine League as a Distinguished Submariner for 2025.
ADM Cecil Haney, USN (Ret)
for Lifetime Contributions to the Nation.
ADM Haney served the Navy and his country as a submarine officer for more than 38 years, commanding at every level. Upon completion of his initial nuclear and submarine training, his shipboard duty included tours on USS JOHN C. CALHOUN (SSBN 630), USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40), USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN 709), and Executive Officer onboard USS ASHEVILLE (SSN 758). His assignments to submarines culminated in taking command of USS HONOLULU (SSN 718) in June 1996. Subsequent command assignments include Submarine Squadron 1 from June 2002 to July 2004, and Submarine Group 2 from October 2006 to March 2008. Admiral Haney's shore duty tours include administrative assistant for enlisted affairs at Naval Reactors; congressional appropriations liaison officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); Deputy Chief of Staff of Plans, Policies and Requirements, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Director, Submarine Warfare Division; Director, Naval Warfare Integration Group; and Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command. He assumed his assignment as Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet in 2012. His final tour of duty was as Commander, U.S. Strategic Command from November 2013 to November 2016. Upon retirement, he has served on the Board of Managers for Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory Advisory Board, and as Chairman of the Board for the Military Child Education Coalition.
It is most appropriate that his dedicated service and support for the country is recognized by the Naval Submarine League as a Distinguished Submariner for 2025.
MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West, USN (Ret)
for Lifetime Contributions to the Nation.
MCPON West served the Navy and his country with great distinction for over 32 years. Following Quartermaster and submarine training, he was assigned to USS ETHAN ALLEN (SSN 608) where he earned his submarine dolphins. Subsequent tours included USS THOMAS EDISON (SSN 610), USS SEA DEVIL (SSN 664), Commander Naval Activities United Kingdom, USS TECUMSEH (SSBN 628) (Blue), and Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Staff as a member of the Training/Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team. He later served as Chief of the Boat aboard USS PORTSMOUTH (SSN 707), completing two Western Pacific deployments and leading the crew to earn two Battle Efficiency “E” awards. His following tours were as Command Master Chief at Submarine Squadron ELEVEN, Force Master Chief for Commander, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet, then Command Master Chief of USS PREBLE (DDG 88) where he deployed to the Persian Gulf, earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification, and helped lead the crew to a Battle Efficiency “E” award. He next served as Pacific Fleet Master Chief followed by Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, becoming the first Master Chief to hold the senior enlisted leadership position in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. In December 2008, he became the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, serving until September 2012. After retirement, MCPON West has served on the boards of several veteran-centric organizations. He remains closely engaged with the Navy and the submarine force.
It is most appropriate that his dedicated service and support for the country is recognized by the Naval Submarine League as a Distinguished Submariner for 2025.
