Rear Adm. Lemmons, originally from Brownwood, Texas, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 and was designated a Naval Aviator in November of 1980. He spent his early sea duty years with Patrol Squadron (VP) 23 homeported in Brunswick, Maine, and forward deployed to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. He later reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC, as a Naval intern developing Joint service personnel policy.
Rear Adm. Lemmons received a Reserve commission (RC) and reported to Naval Air Facility, Washington, DC, where he became the commanding officer of VP-68 in February 1996. His subsequent RC unit commands were in support of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); Naval Air Station (NAS) Keflavik, Iceland, and the Navy Command Center, supporting Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N3/N5. He also served as the deputy commander, Navy Reserve Region Southeast and was the OPNAV Deep Blue liaison to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Selected to Flag rank, he was assigned as the commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) and also served as the vice commander, Naval Air Forces at NAS North Island, San Diego.
Staff assignments have been as director for Fleet Readiness (OPNAV N43); associate director, Assessments Division (OPNAV N81D); Reserve assistant deputy Chief of Naval Operations for the Integration of Resources and Capabilities (OPNAV N8R); assistant deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operation, Plans and Strategy (OPNAV N3/N5B). He has been recently assigned to lead the newly formed U.S. Navy Directorate for International Engagement (OPNAV N52).
Rear Adm. Lemmons is most proud to have served with shipmates who together earned four Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Coast Guard Unit Commendation and two Battle “E” Awards for excellence. He has completed the Naval War College and National Defense University Reserve Component studies curriculum and is a member of the Secretary of Defense Reserve Force Policy Board.
