Daryl Caudle

Daryl Caudle
Daryl Caudle
	Official portrait, 2025
Born	1963 (age 62–63); Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Service years	1985–present
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Chief of Naval Operations ; United States Fleet Forces Command; Submarine Force Atlantic; Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Allied Submarine Command; Task Force 114; Task Force 88; Task Force 46; Task Force 134; Submarine Squadron 3; USS Helena (SSN-725); USS Topeka (SSN-754); USS Jefferson City (SSN-759)
Conflicts	Operation Epic Fury; War against Islamic State Operation Inherent Resolve; ; Second Libyan civil war Operation Odyssey Lightning; ;
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal (4); Legion of Merit (4)
Alma mater	North Carolina State University (BS); Naval Postgraduate School (MS); Old Dominion University (MS); University of Phoenix (DM)

Daryl Lane Caudle (born 1963) is an American admiral who has served as the 34th chief of naval operations since 2025.

Caudle was born in North Carolina. He graduated from the Officer Candidate School of the United States Navy in 1985, and holds degrees in the fields of engineering and physics from North Carolina State University, Old Dominion University, the University of Phoenix, and the Naval Postgraduate School. He is also a licensed professional engineer.

He has commanded three submarines. His senior assignments have included Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet; Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff (J-5) in Washington, D.C.; concurrent terms as Commander, Naval Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic, and Allied Submarine Command from 2019 to 2021; and Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command, from 2021 to 2025.