J. Paul Reason

1998 Honoree

Admiral J. Paul Reason carries a torch. The one passed to him in December 1996 made him commander in chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. Atlantic Fleet's mission is to provide forces to support operations conducted by U.S. and NATO leaders and to execute all assigned tasks. Admiral Reason's monumental responsibility is to manage the more than 142,000 Navy and Marine Corps men and women, 195 ships and submarines, and 1,360 aircraft that make up the Atlantic Fleet.

The Washington, D.C., native grew up in a family of educators — his mother was a science teacher and his father a university librarian. He learned early on the importance of education and believes, "With it, many things are possible. Without it, life gets much harder very quickly." Admiral Reason's naval service began after he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965. Five years later, he earned a master's degree in the management of computer systems.

• Audio File - Quote From J. Paul Reason

As a top gun in the military, Admiral Reason's successful trek up the military ladder proves that hard work and perseverance are the key. He served as operations officer in the destroyer escort USS J.D. BLACKWOOD and, upon the completion of nuclear propulsion engineering training, was assigned duties in the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS TRUXTUN. Later, the naval officer participated in the ship's first deployment to Southeast Asia in 1968. 

Joining the nuclear-powered aircraft USS ENTERPRISE in 1971, he deployed twice to the Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean areas. After service as combat systems officer in USS TRUXTUN, Admiral Reason became an assignment officer at t he Bureau of Naval Personnel. In late 1976, he was assigned as a naval aide to President Jimmy Carter, a position he served in until mid-1979. A succession of positions and promotions included stints as executive officer of USS MISSISSIPPI, commanding officer of USS COONTZ, and deputy chief of naval operations.

Admiral Reason's patriotism and willingness to serve are demonstrated by his personal ideology: "When something is broken, no matter how complex it may be, try to fix it. The worst outcome will be that it still doesn't work. But then again, you may be surprised!"