Rear Admiral Michael Holland is the Chief of Staff of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
He is the principal advisor to the Combatant Commander and Deputy Commander on the activities of the command staff. Additionally, he oversees command policies and programs that support the commander’s priorities and mission to defend North America and provide Defense Support to Civil Authorities.
Rear Adm. Holland graduated from Montana State University in 1987 and was commissioned at Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.
His sea tours include division officer assignments aboard USS Pintado (SSN 672); Weapons Officer on USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730)(Gold); Executive Officer on USS Dallas (SSN 700); Commanding Officer of USS Providence (SSN 719). While serving on Providence, the ship completed two deployments to the Western Pacific, including a trip around the world and a visit to the North Pole.
His shore tours include time in current operations at U.S. Strategic Command as well as being the Submarine Department Head detailer; Congressional Liaison for Submarine Matters in the Navy’s budget office; Command deputy at Submarine Development Squadron 12; Atlantic Submarine Force prospective Commanding Officer Instructor as well as Commodore of Submarine Squadrons 2 and 4 in Groton, Connecticut, and as Director for Operations in the Navy’s budget office. His Flag Officer tours include Director, Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander, Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay, Georgia and his most recent assignment as Director of Programming Division (N80), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Rear Adm. Holland’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Joint Commendation Medal. He is most proud of his various unit awards, including the Arleigh Burke Trophy, that reflect credit on the successful teams with whom he has served.