Education
Olson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1973 and qualified as a Naval Special Warfare (Sea, Air, Land) officer in 1974. He graduated in BUD/South Class 76.
Olson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1973 and qualified as a Naval Special Warfare (Sea, Air, Land) officer in 1974. He graduated in BUD/South Class 76.
He previously served as Deputy Commander, United States. Special Operations Command from 2003 to July 2007. Olson was the first Navy Sea, Air, Land ever to be appointed to three-star and four-star flag rank, as well as the first naval officer to be USSOCOM"s combatant commander. He took command from Army General Bryan Doctorate. Brown in 2007.
Brown and Olson had served together at the SOCOM headquarters in Tampa for four years.
He retired from active duty on August 22, 2011 after over 38 years of service. He relinquished command of SOCOM to Admiral William H. McRaven the same day.
He has served operationally in an Underwater Demolition Team, Sea, Air, Land Team, Sea, Air, Land Delivery Vehicle Team, Special Boat Squadron, and at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has commanded at every level
Olson has participated in several conflicts and contingency operations, and has served as a Sea, Air, Land instructor, strategy and tactics development officer and joint special operations staff officer
His overseas assignments include service as a United Nations military observer in Israel and Egypt, and as Navy Programs officer in Tunisia. He served on the Navy staff as assistant deputy chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy, and Operations). The commander in charge of all Navy SEALs during Desert Storm, Ray Smith, hand picked Olson to be on his staff
In 1993, Olson participated in the Battle of Mogadishu, he was later awarded the Silver Star for his actions which was cited as ".. during combat actions in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993.
In 1994, Olson became commander of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, an American counter-terrorism unit Olson was promoted again in 1999 when he assumed command of Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California.
Olson earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and studied at the Defense Language Institute. He is a Joint Specialty officer and Political-Military Affairs sub-specialist with emphasis on Africa and the Middle East.
In addition to being the first three and four star Navy Sea, Air, Land, Admiral Olson was the Bulletin Frog, the longest serving Navy Sea, Air, Land still on duty.
At four-star flag rank, Olson is the highest-ranking Navy Sea, Air, Land to hold the Bulletin Frog title. Olson was the first person to ever throw a ceremonial first pitch for a post-season game at the new Yankee Stadium in 2009. Admiral Olson retired in August 2011.
He has since joined the board of directors of Mission Essential Personnel and Iridium Communications.
He is an honorary chairman of The Office of Strategic Services Society. They have been married for 30 years and have two children, Dan and Ally.
