Vice Admiral Bird, the son of a career naval officer, lived throughout the United States during his childhood and ultimately settled in Pensacola, FLA., where he graduated from Pensacola Catholic High School. In 1977, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America and has completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI in Foreign Affairs, International Relations, and National Security.
As a career submarine officer, Vice Admiral Bird served on 4 fast attack submarines and 1 ballistic missile submarine in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. He served as the commanding officer of the USS Scranton (SSN 756) and was awarded the Naval Submarine League’s Jack Darby Award for Inspirational Leadership and Excellence in Command, and earned the Submarine Squadron Six (CSS-6) Battle Efficiency “E” for two consecutive years in 1994 and 1995. He commanded Submarine Squadron Eight (CSS-8) which included eight fast attack submarines in Norfolk, VA., from August 1999 to April 2001.
Ashore, VADM Bird served as special assistant (Legislative Affairs) to the chief of naval personnel; principal assistant in the Office of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Undersea Warfare (Readiness and Tactics); division chief for Central, South and Southeast Asia (J5); the assistant deputy director for Political-Military Affairs Asia, J5, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and the J3/J4 – director for Operations and Plans, Logistics and Engineering, United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), Norfolk, VA.
Following a two-year assignment as the 39th commander of Submarine Group 7, commander, Task Force 74, and commander Task Force 54 in Yokosuka, Japan, VADM Bird assumed duties as the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. From July 2008 to September 2010, he was the 46th Commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet. Following his tour at the 7th Fleet, VADM Bird reported to the Pentagon and OPNAV staff as the Director of the Navy Staff.
Vice Admiral Bird retired from the U.S. Navy 1 October 2012 and joined USAA as the Senior Vice President for Military Affairs. Following an 11-year career at USAA, he retired in 2024.
VADM Bird has been married to his high school sweetheart, Nonie, for 44 years. They have two grown children, Jack and Elizabeth, who are both UVA Engineering graduates. They are also blessed to have 4 grandchildren, twin girls Nell & Zoe and two boys Auggie & Mills.
