Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe is a native of Somerset, Texas. He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York, in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in marine systems engineering. He earned a Master of Science in applied physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1994 and was selected to transfer to the engineering duty officer community.

At sea and on deployment, Wolfe served as the assistant weapons officer on USS Lewis and Clark (SSBN 644) from 1988 to 1992. In 1994 he was assigned as the lead systems engineer on a Ballistic Missile Defense Office joint skunkworks project, which was managed by the U.S. Air Force at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Additionally, he was part of a forward-based team that led the rebuilding of courthouses and prisons in Iraq in 2007.

From 1995 to 1996, he the liaison from Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) to the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy Command Control Communications, Computers & Intelligence (C4I). From 1996 to 2000, he served as the assistant section head for the Fire Control and Guidance Branch at SSP. In July 2000, Wolfe was the technical division head at SSP’s Program Management Office in Sunnyvale, California. During this tour, he was temporarily dual-hatted as a technical investigator for the Columbia Accident Investigation Board where he served as a lead for foam loss testing and orbit impact analysis. In 2003, Wolfe returned to SSP Headquarters where he served in many positions, including the deputy chief engineer; branch head for Fire Control and Guidance Branch; the nuclear weapons security coordinator and SSGN coordinator; and branch head for Missile Branch.

Wolfe assumed duties in 2012 as the technical director and deputy director reporting program manager for SSP. Wolfe promoted to Rear Admiral October 1, 2014 and became the program executive for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Missile Defense Agency.

In May 2018, he put on his third star and assumed the duties as director, SSP, where he currently serves. Wolfe is dual hatted as Echelon I director for Naval Nuclear Weapons Oversight Program (CNO N00NW) which provides regulatory oversight for the Navy Nuclear Deterrence Mission (NNDM) and technical authority on Department of the Navy nuclear weapons and Nuclear Weapons systems.

Wolfe's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy Achievement Medal with three gold stars, Air Force Achievement Medal and various other service awards.

Last Updated: 29 June 2023