Vice Admiral Phillip G. Sawyer is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering.  He received a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.

As a career submarine officer, he served as division officer on USS Bluefish (SSN 675), engineer officer on USS Florida (SSBN 728) (Blue) and executive officer onboard USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716).  His afloat command assignments were aboard USS La Jolla (SSN 701) and Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 15 in Guam.

On shore he served on the Joint Staff, Operations Directorate as branch chief for antiterrorism and force protection; deputy director for Operations at Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet; executive assistant to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet; submarine force placement officer and assistant captain detailer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel; instructor at Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, Atlantic; chief of staff of U.S. Strategic Command Special Activities and chief of staff, Submarine Force Atlantic.

As a flag officer, his tours include vice commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, Commander, Task Force 74/54; commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet; deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet.

Sawyer assumed duties as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy (N3/N5) in October 2019.