Senior Vice President, Military Affairs, USAA

Retired Vice Adm. John Bird joined USAA in February 2013 as the senior vice president of Military Affairs. He leads the USAA Military Affairs team, comprising more than 50 retired officers and senior noncommissioned officers who advocate for and support our military members, veterans and military families. His team of professionals, geographically disbursed across the nation, represent each of their services as well as the nation’s Guard and Reserve forces. They are responsible for creating and sustaining relationships between USAA, strategic partners, military leaders and military-related organizations, allowing USAA to better serve and advocate for the military community. He and his team promote the USAA brand and reputation through face-to-face engagements, creating an enduring bond with the military community USAA serves.

Before USAA, John served 35 years in the Navy before retiring in October 2012 as a vice admiral and director of Navy Staff. Earlier assignments included commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet; director, Operations, Plans and Logistics at U.S. Joint Forces; commander, Submarine Group Seven; commander, Submarine Squadron Eight; and commanding officer, 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 38 years. They have two grown children, Jack and Elizabeth, and are proud grandparents to twins Zoe and Nell.