History of Alvin Holsey in Timeline

Alvin Holsey is a U.S. Navy four-star admiral and naval aviator currently serving as the commander of United States Southern Command since November 2024. Prior to this, he was the military deputy commander of U.S. Southern Command (2023-2024). Holsey's previous commands include commander of the Navy Personnel Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel (2021-2022), and commander of Carrier Strike Group 1 (2018-2020). Notably, he was the commanding officer of the USS Makin Island (LHD-8), the Navy's first hybrid electric propulsion warship (2013-2014), after serving as its executive officer.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1965: Birth of Alvin Holsey

In 1965, Alvin Holsey was born. He would later become a United States Navy admiral and naval aviator.

1988: Commissioned Through NROTC

In 1988, Alvin Holsey was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program at Morehouse College, where he received a bachelor's degree in Computer Science.

1995: Master of Science in Management

In 1995, Alvin Holsey earned a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University.

2010: Attended Joint Forces Staff College

In 2010, Alvin Holsey attended the Joint Forces Staff College.

2012: Executive Officer of USS Makin Island

In February of 2012, Alvin Holsey acted as the executive officer of the USS Makin Island (LHD-8).

2013: Commanding Officer of USS Makin Island

From 2013 to 2014, Alvin Holsey served as commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s first hybrid electric propulsion warship, the USS Makin Island (LHD-8).

2014: Commanding Officer of USS Makin Island

From 2013 to 2014, Alvin Holsey served as commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s first hybrid electric propulsion warship, the USS Makin Island (LHD-8).

2018: Leading Carrier Strike Group 1

From 2018 to 2020, Alvin Holsey led Carrier Strike Group 1.

2020: Leading Carrier Strike Group 1

From 2018 to 2020, Alvin Holsey led Carrier Strike Group 1.

2021: Commander of the Navy Personnel Command

From 2021 to 2022, Alvin Holsey was commander of the Navy Personnel Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel.

September 2022: Nominated for Promotion to Vice Admiral

In September 2022, Alvin Holsey was nominated for promotion to vice admiral, and assignment as the military deputy commander of U.S. Southern Command.

2022: Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel

From 2021 to 2022, Alvin Holsey was commander of the Navy Personnel Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel.

2023: Military Deputy Commander of United States Southern Command

In 2023, Alvin Holsey served as the military deputy commander of the United States Southern Command until 2024.

July 2024: Nominated for Promotion to Admiral

In July 2024, Alvin Holsey was nominated for promotion to admiral and assignment as the commander of United States Southern Command.

November 2024: Commander of United States Southern Command

On November 2024, Alvin Holsey became the commander of the United States Southern Command.

October 2025: Resignation Announcement

In October 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that Holsey was resigning at the end of the year, after expressing misgivings about a Caribbean naval deployment.