Hallock “Hal” N. Mohler Jr.
Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Hallock “Hal” Mohler Jr. enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1980 and completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. He earned his commission as an Ensign in 1995 through the Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer Program and later transferred into the Human Resources community in 2010.
During a distinguished naval career spanning more than 41 years of consecutive active-duty service, Captain Mohler served aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Wisconsin (BB 64), USS Inchon (MCS 12), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), as well as with Carrier Strike Group EIGHT. His shore assignments included service with Navy Recruiting District New Jersey, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Supreme Allied Command Atlantic, Naval Support Activity Norfolk, and Navy Recruiting Command.
Captain Mohler also served as Flag Secretary for Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic; Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; and Commander, U.S. Central Command. He deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as the J1 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division. His command tour included service as Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting District Richmond, Virginia.
On May 15, 2017, Captain Mohler was appointed Department of Defense Executive Secretary by Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis, serving in that role until May 22, 2019. His final Navy assignment was as Chief of Staff for U.S. SECOND Fleet and Director of Management for Joint Force Command Norfolk before retiring from active duty on September 1, 2021.
Following his retirement from naval service, Captain Mohler became Executive Director of the Naval Safety and Environmental Training Center in February 2022.
Captain Mohler holds master’s degrees from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Old Dominion University, and the Naval Postgraduate School. He also earned bachelor’s degrees from Chapman University and Saint Leo University. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
His personal decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
Captain Mohler and his wife, Sharon, reside in Virginia and are the proud parents of their daughter, Anna Elizabeth.
M-F: 10am–4:30pm