On November 3rd, Captain Thomas J. Niebel was honored as the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus at the National Honor Society induction ceremony.
Captain Niebel, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and 1996 graduate of Shaler Area High School, was commissioned in May 2000 through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps at Carnegie Mellon University where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Duke University.
Following completion of the nuclear power training pipeline in 2001, he reported to his first submarine, USS LA JOLLA (SSN 701) homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he served in various division officer billets. During his tour the ship completed two Western Pacific deployments. In November 2004, he reported to Duke University as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science.
Captain Niebel then reported to USS Tucson (SSN 770) in June 2007 to serve as Engineer Officer, completing a Depot Modernization Period, change of homeport from Norfolk, Virginia to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and a Western Pacific deployment. In November 2010 he reported to the staff of Commander, Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet to serve as the Force Radiological Controls Officer. During this period, he deployed to Japan to provide radiological control support to forces conducting humanitarian operations during Operation Tomadachi following the earthquake and tsunami in March of 2011.
In June 2013, he reported to USS Topeka (SSN 754) as the Executive Officer and served there until October 2015. He completed an Engineered Overhaul and change of homeport from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Guam. From November 2015 to September 2017 he served as a Division Director in the Office of Stockpile Management, responsible for overseeing operations to maintain the nation’s nuclear deterrence, at the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Following completion of the Submarine Command Course, Captain Niebel reported to PCU Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795), then under construction at General-Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard, and assumed command in July 2018. During his tour, he oversaw initial establishment of the command, several propulsion plant test programs, and the transition to waterborne operations from the construction hall. Following his relief in August 2021, he reported as the Deputy Director of the Investment and Development Division within the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Financial Management and Comptroller’s Office.
Captain Niebel and his wife Laura reside in Alexandria, Virginia with their two sons, Grant and Chase.