Originally from Norlina, North Carolina, Donald graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in ocean engineering. He also holds an Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of ’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows Program.
He previously served as Commander, Submarine Force, United States. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander, Submarine Allied Command, Atlantic. He retired from his assignment as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on November 2, 2012. After completing his initial nuclear power and submarine training, he served on the United States Ship Batfish (Social Security Number-681), United States Ship Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN-658), and United States Ship Seahorse (Social Security Number-669).
Donald was Commanding Officer of the United States Ship Key West (Social Security Number-722), from October 1990 to February 1993.
He served as Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Twelve from August 1995 to July 1997. From June 2002 to July 2003, he was assigned as Commander, Submarine Group Eight.
Commander, Submarine Force Sixth Fleet (CTF 69). Commander, Submarines Allied Naval Forces South.
And Commander, Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Force (CTF 164) in Naples, Italy.
Most recently, he served as Commander, Naval Submarine Forces. Commander, Submarine Force, United States. Atlantic Fleet. Commander, Allied Submarine Command, Atlantic.
And Commander, Task Forces 84 and 144 in Norfolk, Virginia.
His shore assignments include the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and the staff of the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion. Admiral Donald assumed his previous duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, on 5 November 2004 -- a uniquely eight-year posting which was originally created and served in by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.
The appointment as Director is both a military and civilian position as it is the head of both Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (Department of the Navy) and Naval Reactors (Department of Energy). See Naval Reactors for more information.
Admiral Donald was relieved as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion by Admiral John M. Richardson, on 3 November, 2012.
As reported on March 25, 2008, Donald was assigned by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to investigate nuclear missile fuses that were mistakenly sent to the island of Taiwan. However, details of Admiral Donald"s specific report remain classified.
