Michael K. Loose

Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command and Chief of Civil Engineers, U.S. Navy

Loose, a native of Albuquerque, attended the University of Kansas on a Navy ROTC scholarship and was commissioned as an ensign upon graduation. He has spent more than 30 years in significant positions in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps. In 2003, Loose assumed command of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and became chief of civil engineers. As such, Loose leads NAVFAC's 15,000 personnel in providing a diverse array of engineering, planning, public works, construction management, environmental, real estate and contracting services for the Navy installations around the world. The effort represents more than $10 billion annually. He also is responsible for logistics and engineering support to the Naval Construction Force — also known as the Navy Seabees — 22 battalions and four regiments actively engaged in the war on terrorism. As chief of civil engineers, Loose leads more than 2,000 Civil Engineer Corps officers and is responsible for all aspects of the community's training and development and employment in support of the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Department of Defense objectives.