John Bird joined USAA in February 2013 as the Senior Vice President of Military Affairs. He and his team are responsible for planning and directing the military affairs and membership development programs. Military Affairs serves as the face of USAA for purposeful outreach and relationship building to influence, educate, advise, and gain insights. We deliver unique access that opens doors to key influencers that advocate for the military, USAA, and its members.
Prior to USAA, John served 35 years in the Navy before retiring in October 2012 as Vice Admiral, Director of Navy Staff. Earlier assignments included: Commander, United States Seventh Fleet; Director, Operations Plans and Logistics at United States Joint Forces; Commander, Submarine Group Seven; Commander, Submarine Group Eight; and Commanding Officer of USS Scranton SSN 756.
In 1977, he graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America and has completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI in Foreign Affairs, International Relations and National Security.
John has been married to his high school sweetheart, Nonie, for 35 years. They have two grown children, Jack and Elizabeth, who are both UVA Engineering graduates.
