A second-generation naval officer, Vice Adm. Thomas Moore graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Math/Operations Analysis. He also holds a degree in information systems management from George Washington University and a Master of Science and an engineer’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
As a surface nuclear trained officer for 13 years, he served in various operational and engineering billets aboard USS South Carolina (CGN 37) as machinery division officer, reactor training assistant and electrical officer; USS Virginia (CGN 38) as main propulsion assistant; USS Conyngham (DDG 17) as weapons officer; and USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as the number one plant station officer responsible for the de-fueling, refueling and testing of the ship’s two lead reactor plants during her 1991-1994 refueling complex overhaul (RCOH). Additionally, ashore he served two years as a company officer at the United States Naval Academy.
In 1994, he was selected for lateral transfer to the engineering duty officer community where he served in various staff engineering, maintenance, technical and program management positions including, carrier overhaul project officer at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia, where he led the overhaul of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and the first year of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) RCOH; assistant program manager for In-Service Aircraft Carriers (PMS 312) in the office of the Program Executive Officer, Aircraft Carriers, Aircraft Carrier Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) requirements officer on the staff of the chief of Naval Operations Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N78); and, five years in command as the major program manager for In-Service Aircraft Carriers (PMS 312) where he was responsible for the new construction of the George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the RCOH of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the life cycle management of all In-Service Aircraft Carriers.
In April 2008, he reported to the staff of the chief of Naval Operations as the deputy director, Fleet Readiness, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N43B. From May 2010 to July 2011, he served as the director, Fleet Readiness, OPNAV N43.
Moore commanded the Program Executive Office for Aircraft Carriers from August 11, 2011 to June 1, 2016. Over this five year period, he led the largest ship acquisition program in the U.S. Navy portfolio; was responsible for designing, building, testing and delivering Ford-class carriers; led the Navy’s first-ever inactivation of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-65); and was the lead in the U.S.-India Joint Working Group Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation.
Moore became the 44th commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) June 10, 2016. As NAVSEA commander, he oversees a global workforce of more than 73,000 military and civilian personnel responsible for the development, delivery and maintenance of the Navy’s ships, submarines and systems.
Moore’s personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards).