BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : REAR ADMIRAL WILLIE METTS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

Rear Adm. Metts is a native of Danville, Ga. He graduated from Savannah State University in 1985, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and was commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. Following commissioning, he performed initial sea duty on USS Thomas C. Hart (FF 1092) and USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), completing three deployments to the Mediterranean and Red Seas with sustained combat operations during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Following initial sea duty assignments, Metts transferred to the Naval Postgraduate School from 1991 to 1993 earning a Master of Science degree in Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I).

Selected as a naval cryptologist (now Information Warfare) in 1993, Metts transferred to Naval Security Group Command Detachment Potomac, in Washington D.C., and served as program operations director. In 1997, he reported for duty as Naval Security Group department head at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Guam and subsequently fleeted up to executive officer. In 1999, he was assigned to the staff of commander, Carrier Group 2 embarked in USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in Norfolk, Va., as cryptologic resource coordinator. During this assignment, he completed the maiden deployment of Truman to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.

In 2001, Metts transferred to the Naval War College, earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies and Strategic Planning. After graduation, he reported to the staff of commander, United States Pacific Command in Hawaii, where he served as deputy director, Collections and Information Acquisitions Division and completed the Harvard University Senior Executive Fellows Program in November 2004.

In 2005, Metts was selected as special assistant to commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and in July 2006, reported for duty as commanding officer, Navy Information Operations Command, Hawaii. Following command, he reported in August 2008 to Navy Personnel Command, as division director for Information Dominance Corps and Foreign Area Officer Assignments.

In August 2010, Metts reported to United State Cyber Command as director of Intelligence. Metts was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral (lower half), July 1, 2011.  In August 2011, he reported to the National Security Agency as deputy chief of Tailored Access Operations.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (3 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Cops Commendation Medal and various service and joint expeditionary medals and ribbons.