Timothy Szymanski
{{Short description|US Navy admiral and former SEAL (born 1962) SEAL}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Timothy G. Szymanski
|image= Vice Adm. Timothy G. Szymanski.jpg
|image_size=
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|nickname=
|birth_date= {{birth year and age|1962}}
|birth_place=
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|allegiance= United States
|branch= United States Navy
|serviceyears= 1985–2021
|rank= Vice Admiral
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|unit=
|commands= United States Naval Special Warfare Command
Naval Special Warfare Group 2{{cite news|last1=Parker|first1=William S.|title=Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Holds Change of Command|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=69204|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921200440/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=69204|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2012|access-date=3 March 2016|work=Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Public Affairs|issue=NNS120830-16|publisher=United States Navy|date=August 30, 2012}}
SEAL Team 2
Special Boat Unit 26
|battles= War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
|awards= Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal (3)
|relations=
|laterwork=
}}
Timothy Gerard "Tim" Szymanski (born 1962){{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DD8BVZeVFP4C&pg=PA109 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty |date=1 October 1990 |page=109 |publisher=Bureau of Naval Personnel |access-date=7 June 2021}} is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who last served as deputy commander of United States Special Operations Command from October 15, 2018 to December 2021. He is the former commander of United States Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California.{{cite web|last1=Naval Special Warfare Editor|title=Naval Special Warfare Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony|url=https://ethoslive.wordpress.com/2016/08/04/naval-special-warfare-command-holds-change-of-command-ceremony/|publisher=Naval Special Warfare Command|access-date=14 January 2017|date=4 August 2016}}
Early life and education
Szymanski is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from the Salesianum School in 1980, where he was a three-year varsity letterman in wrestling and, in 1980, represented the United States in an international AAU Freestyle wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan.{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame 2015 |url=https://www.salesianum.org/alumni/hall-of-fame |publisher=Salesianum School |access-date=3 March 2016}} He then attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School from 1980 to 1981, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. He completed a Masters of Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy at Joint Advanced Warfighting School.{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio.asp?bioID=814|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171308/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio.asp?bioID=814|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|website=U. S. Navy Biographies|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=3 March 2016}}
Naval career
After receiving his commission in 1985, Szymanski served in the Surface Warfare community and qualified as a surface warfare officer before transitioning to the SEALs.{{cite news |title=Former SEAL Team 6 deputy tapped to lead Navy SEALs |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/03/01/former-seal-team-6-deputy-tapped-to-lead-navy-seal |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211020231524/https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2016/03/01/former-seal-team-6-deputy-tapped-to-lead-navy-seal |url-status=dead |archive-date=2021-10-20 |access-date=3 March 2016 |work=Navy Times |date=1 March 2016 |last1=Myers |first1=Meghann}} He volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) graduating with Class 161 in 1989.{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski|url=https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2236257/vice-admiral-tim-szymanski/ |publisher=U.S. Navy |access-date=6 November 2018|date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119011207/https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2236257/vice-admiral-tim-szymanski/ |archive-date=2020-11-19 }} Following SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of six month probationary period, he received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia also known as "SEAL Trident".
Szymanski's Naval Special Warfare (NSW) and operational assignments include platoon commander and task unit commander at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. In 1992, Szymanski volunteered for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) in Damneck, Virginia, and completed a specialized selection and training course known as Green Team{{cn|date=December 2021}}. He served as troop commander, squadron commander and current operations officer with the command until 1997. Szymanski was selected as commanding officer of Special Boat Unit 26 and later returned to NSWDG for a 2nd tour as unit operations officer from 2000 to 2002. As a commander, Szymanski served as commanding officer of SEAL Team 2 from 2002 to 2004.
Szymanski's staff assignments include officer community manager for NSW and enlisted community manager for SEALs, Navy Divers, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians, and special warfare combatant craft crewmen (SWCC). He served on the Joint Staff as the J3 deputy directorate for Special Operations as the Global War on Terror branch chief and as chief staff officer of Pakistan-Afghanistan Coordination Cell.
Szymanski commanded a O6-level Joint Task Force in Afghanistan, served as deputy unit commander of Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2007 to 2008 and commanded Naval Special Warfare Group TWO from 2009 to 2011. He served as deputy commanding general sustainment to Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan/NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan.{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski|url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/an-interview-with-rear-adm-tim-szymanski/ |publisher=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018230614/https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/an-interview-with-rear-adm-tim-szymanski/ |access-date=7 November 2019|archive-date=2021-10-18 }}
On 3 August 2016, Szymanski succeeded Rear Admiral Brian L. Losey as commander, Naval Special Warfare Command. His prior assignment was the assistant to the commander of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
On 19 July 2018, Szymanski was nominated for promotion to vice admiral,{{cite web |title=PN2321 – Rear Adm. Timothy G. Szymanski – Navy |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/2321 |website=U.S. Congress |access-date=11 September 2018}} but his next assignment was not disclosed at the time.
He retired from active duty in December 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/senate-communication/117th-congress/executive-communication/2423|title=EC2423 — Executive Communication, 117th Congress (2021-2022)|access-date=2021-10-29|website=U.S. Congress}}
Awards and decorations
Szymanski has received multiple awards and recognitions:
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="3"|200px |
| colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}22px22px22px |
| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}23px23px
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}23px23px |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px18px |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg|width=106}} |
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In 2015, Szymanski was inducted into Salesianum School's hall of fame.
Controversies
Szymanski actively thwarted efforts to award the Medal of Honor to U.S. Air Force combat controller, Master Sergeant John A. Chapman.{{Cite web |last=Cubber |first=Matt |date=2024-02-12 |title=Navy Seal Corruption |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sdwOghKCxQ&t=755s |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=YouTube |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Naylor |first=Sean D. |date=2018-05-07 |title=The Ghost in the Radio |url=https://www.newsweek.com/2018/05/18/navy-seals-seal-team-6-left-behind-die-operation-anaconda-slabinski-chapman-912343.html |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} It is established Admiral Szymanski undertook his course of action to protect the reputation of his SEAL community.
References
{{USNAVY|article=Rear Admiral Tim Szymanski |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119011207/https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2236257/vice-admiral-tim-szymanski/}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Commonscat|Timothy G. Szymanski}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-military}}
{{s-bef|before=Michael Kurilla}}
{{s-ttl|title=Assistant Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command|years=2014–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=Dan Caine}}
{{s-bef|before=Brian L. Losey}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command|years=2016–2018}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=Collin P. Green}}
{{s-bef|before=Joseph Osterman}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander of the United States Special Operations Command|years=2018–2021}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Szymanski, Timothy}}
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Military personnel from Wilmington, Delaware
Category:Salesianum School alumni
Category:United States Naval Academy alumni
Category:United States Navy SEALs personnel
Category:Joint Forces Staff College alumni
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:United States Navy admirals