CAPTAIN RALPH J. CAHILL
U.S. Navy Reserve
Navy Reserve Element Commander
Joint Enabling Capabilities Command
Captain Cahill is a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania. He is a prior enlisted Nuclear Electronics Technician and a 2000 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He also earned a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He was designated a naval submarine officer in June 2003.
His active-duty operational assignments included service on the ballistic missile submarine USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN 736) (BLUE) from 2002 to 2005 where he served as Electronics Materials Officer, Electrical Assistant, Reactor Controls Assistant, and Assistant Operations Officer during He completed 4 strategic deterrent patrols during his tenure and qualified in submarines in additional to qualifying as Navy Nuclear Engineer Officer.
His active-duty staff assignments included duty as Submarine Tactics Instructor and Junior Officer Course Lead Instructor at Trident Training Facility Kings Bay, Georgia, from 2005 to 2006.
During his tenure in the Navy Reserve, CAPT Cahill served as Executive Officer of Undersea Warfare Operations Detachment Sierra, Executive Officer of SSGN Continuous Maintenance Availability Atlantic (CMAV LANT), Executive Officer of Undersea Warfare Operations Orlando, Commanding Officer Undersea Warfare Operations Charlotte, and as the Reserve Assistant Deputy Director, Joint Training, Joint Staff J7, prior to his current assignment. He mobilized from 2009 to 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as the Assistant Officer-in-Charge of the Tactical Operations Center for Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Forward (Customs Battalion) Detachment Juliet. He is fully Joint Qualified and is a qualified Theater ASW Watch Officer and Theater ASW Battle Watch Captain.
Captain Cahill’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).