[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 12 (Thursday, January 21, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S90]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO VICE ADMIRAL FREDERICK J. ``FRITZ'' ROEGGE

  Mr. WICKER. Madam President, today I honor a superb leader and 
warrior. I have had the privilege of associating with VADM Fritz Roegge 
both personally and professionally over many years, and it has been my 
pleasure to do so. After 40 years of uniformed service, Vice Admiral 
Roegge will be retiring from the U.S. Navy. On this occasion, I believe 
it is fitting to recognize his distinguished service and dedication to 
our Navy.
  Vice Admiral Roegge is an honors graduate of the University of 
Minnesota with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and was 
commissioned through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program. He 
went on to earn a master of science in engineering management from the 
Catholic University of America and a master of arts with highest 
distinction in national security and strategic studies from the Naval 
War College. He was a fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of 
Technology Seminar XXI program and of the Harvard Kennedy School 
program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.
  His sea tours include USS Whale (SSN 638), USS Florida (SSBN 728) 
(Blue), USS Key West (SSN 722), and most prominently, command of USS 
Connecticut (SSN 22). His major command was as commodore of Submarine 
Squadron 22, with additional duty as commanding officer, Naval Support 
Activity La Maddalena, Italy.
  Ashore, he has served on the staffs of both the Atlantic and Pacific 
Submarine Force commanders, on the staff of the Director of Naval 
Nuclear Propulsion, on the Navy staff in the Assessments Division (N81) 
and the Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division (N13), in the 
Secretary of the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. House 
of Representatives, as the head of the Submarine and Nuclear Power 
Distribution Division (PERS 42) at the Navy Personnel Command, and as 
an assistant deputy director on the Joint Staff in both the Strategy 
and Policy (J5) and the Regional Operations (J33) Directorates.
  Vice Admiral Roegge completed his first flag officer assignment as 
the deputy commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Global 
Strike at U.S. Strategic Command. He then served concurrently as 
commander, Submarine Group 8; commander, Submarines, Allied Naval 
Forces South; deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; and director of 
Operations and Intelligence (N3), U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa. As a 
rear admiral, he served on the Navy staff as director, Military 
Personnel Plans and Policy Division (N13) with a concurrent period as 
director, Total Force Manpower Division (N12) and then as commander, 
Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
  Vice Admiral Roegge now culminates his career of service to the Navy 
and the Nation as the 16th president of the National Defense University 
(NDU). NDU is the university of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff and the premier Joint Professional Military Education institution 
in the Department of Defense. NDU's mission to develop joint 
warfighters and other national security leaders through rigorous 
academics, research, and engagement has never been more important to 
our Nation and its security.
  I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to Vice Admiral 
Roegge for his outstanding leadership and unwavering support of the 
missions of the U.S. Navy. I want to recognize his supportive family, 
Mrs. Julie Roegge and their two sons, Alex and Will. I wish Vice 
Admiral Roegge and his family ``fair winds and following seas.''

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