Mike Studeman
Mike Studeman retired in 2023 after 35 years in the Navy, attaining the rank of a two-star admiral. He led thousands of intelligence professionals at sea and ashore. He commanded a Global Communications Center, Cyber Intelligence Center, and the Office of Naval Intelligence. As a flag officer, he also served as Intelligence Director for the Indo-Pacific and South America regions. During his career, he was stationed in Spain and Japan, deployed globally on ships, and has extensive national security experience in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In 2005 he was presidentially appointed as a White House Fellow, the nation’s premier program for leadership and public service. He currently writes, consults, speaks, and is a National Security Fellow for the MITRE Corporation.
Mike is a graduate of the College of William & Mary, a distinguished graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, distinguished graduate of the National War College, and honors graduate in Mandarin Chinese from the Defense Language Institute.
Mike's previous published work called 30 Minutes of Leadership is a Department of Defense Reads (DoDReads) pick.
Mike comes from a family of service. His father was a four-star admiral and former Deputy Director for Central Intelligence, Director of the National Security Agency, and Director of Naval Intelligence. His paternal grandfather was an Executive Vice President of PanAm. His maternal grandfather was a British submariner who fought in World War II.
He and his college sweetheart, Lynne, have two sons and live in Virginia.
Articles & Publications
A virtual book talk with Rear Admiral Mike Studeman on his Might of the Chain: Forging Leaders of Iron Integrity book, hosted by CSIS with remarks by Captain Quinton Packard and moderated by Kari A. Bingen. Date: October 11, 2024.
“Why Mike Wrote A Leadership Book”, a video sharing his leadership vision and motivations, featured on his official site along with excerpts, endorsements, and ordering links for Might of the Chain: Forging Leaders of Iron Integrity, his book detailing leadership lessons from his 35-year U.S. Navy career (Stone Tower Press, 2024).
“30 Minutes of Leadership,” a leadership essay compilation presenting “Commanding Officer Minutes” that offer brief, actionable insights on traits like character, authenticity, decisiveness, mentorship, and self-discipline. Foreword by Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert. Date: 2020
“7 Myths of Intelligence,” an article by Mike Studeman in Proceedings (U.S. Naval Institute), dispelling common misconceptions about the U.S. intelligence community and underscoring the critical need for awareness and decision superiority. Date: February 2009.
Dragon in the Shadows: Calculating China’s Advances in the South China Sea, master’s thesis for the Naval Postgraduate School, analyzing the economic and strategic drivers behind China’s territorial expansion from 1988 to 1995. Date: 1998.
“Calculating China’s Advances in the South China Sea: Identifying the Triggers of ‘Expansionism’,” a peer-reviewed article in Naval War College Review derived from his NPS thesis, presenting a condensed version of the research. Date: 1998.
Interviews & Podcasts
Rear Admiral Mike Studeman (Ret.) in The Cipher Brief Q&A, “Undersea Cables Under Attack, from Outside and Within,” discussing rising threats to global subsea infrastructure, including sabotage and cyber exploits, and strategies for U.S. and allied defense. Date: August 15, 2025.
An interview with Rear Admiral Mike Studeman (Ret.) on The Leadership Crucible, “America’s REAL Threat Is a Failure of Character,” discussing iron integrity, the collapse of trust, and lessons from his naval service. Hosted by Chief Randy Bruegman. Date: July 14, 2025.
An episode of the NatSec Matters Podcast featuring Mike Studeman, “Beijing’s Long Game,” exploring U.S.-China trade relations, Taiwan’s strategic importance, and Xi Jinping’s potential timeline for conflict. Hosted by Michael Allen. Date: May 14, 2025.
An interview on the Adventure Capitalist Podcast, “How to Overcome America’s Integrity & Leadership Vacuum,” discussing lessons from his 35-year Navy career and practical insights on values, ethics, and inspiring young leaders. Hosted by Austin Brawner and Cody Shirk. Date: April 25, 2025.
Mike Studeman on the Decoding Geopolitics Podcast with Dominik Presl, “Why a U.S.- China War Is Coming,” analyzing the heightened risk of conflict, U.S. naval readiness, and China’s information warfare. Date: September 4, 2024.
Talks & Keynote
A talk by retired Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, The China Challenge: China’s Global Ambitions (MITRE Corporation), examining Beijing’s pursuit of a new world order, the U.S.–China strategic rivalry, and implications for American policy. Date: December 11, 2024
A talk by retired Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, The China Challenge: The Hidden Offensive (MITRE Corporation), addressing China’s infiltration of U.S. society, its exploitation of political division and short-termism, and strategies to counter these threats. Date: December 11, 2024.
A talk by retired Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, The China Challenge: Why Taiwan Matters for Global Peace (MITRE Corporation), examining Taiwan’s role in global security, Xi Jinping’s ambitions, and the risks of great power conflict. Date: October 28, 2024.
Rear Admiral Michael Studeman at the 2021 Great Power Competition Conference, discussing the global influence of cyber operations in the Indo-Pacific as Director, J2, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Date: April 24, 2021.