Rear Adm. Cedric Pringle graduated from the University of South
Carolina in December 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and
received his commission through Naval ROTC. He also earned a Master
of Science in Financial Management from the Naval Postgraduate School
in 1998 and a Master of Arts in National Security Strategy from the
Naval War College in 2003.
At sea, he served in engineering department on USS Ranger (CV 61) and
USS Portland (LSD 37) and as executive officer on USS Fort McHenry
(LSD 43). In July 2004, he assumed command of USS Whidbey Island
(LSD 41). During his tour, he participated in humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief operations in response to Hurricane Katrina in September
2005. In February 2012, he took command of the Navy’s first hybrid
propulsion drive ship, USS Makin Island (LHD 8). During his tenure,
Makin Island completed its maiden deployment and achieved numerous
successes, including earning the Battle “E” Award, the Retention
Excellence Award, Afloat and Aviation Operational Safety Awards and
the President’s Volunteer Service Award for community outreach.
Ashore, he served on the staffs of Navy Recruiting Area 3, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 as chief staff officer,
Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet as deputy chief of staff for Operations and Plans (N3/N5), on the Joint Staff as the
deputy chief of Forces Division in the Force Structure, Resources and Assessment Directorate (J8), and as director, Navy
Senate Liaison for the Secretary of the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs. From September 2015 to November 2017
he served as deputy director of Joint Interagency Task Force South. During this tour, he also served as commander, Joint
Task Force Matthew, leading relief and recovery efforts in Haiti following Hurricane Matthew in October 2016.
From December 2017 to September 2019, he served as commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, the Navy's largest
Strike Group that is composed of 15 ships, 31 subordinate commands, and 15,000 Sailors and Marines. During his
tenure, ESG3 led the first-ever Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise as a Littoral Combat Force headquarters,
orchestrating simultaneous operations across 2.2 million square miles, ranging from Adak, Alaska to San Diego,
California.
Rear Admiral Pringle assumed command as the 31st commandant of the National War College on 16 October 2019.
His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal,
Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit
and service awards. Pringle is also the recipient of the 2015 Navy’s Stars and Stripes Award.