Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and most recently as deputy director, then director, of Submarine Warfare Division (N87). He also played varsity basketball for the Midshipmen while attending the U.S. Naval Academy. He is also the seventh member of the navy's "Centennial Seven", which are the seven African-American sailors to serve as commanding officers of United States submarines in the 20th century. The other members of this group are Capt. C. A. "Pete" Tzomes (ret.), Rear Adm. Tony Watson (ret.), Capt. William F. Bundy (ret.), Vice Adm. Mel Williams, Jr., Capt. Joe Peterson (ret)., and Adm. Cecil D. Haney. According to his LinkedIn page, Grooms worked from 2015 to 2019 as vice president for Navy and Marine Corps Programs at Raytheon, following his retirement from the United States Navy. Since 2019, he has served as an independent board director at EMCORE Corporation. Awards Grooms was selected as the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership winner for 1999. He has also been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (five awards), the Meritorious Service Medal and various campaign and unit awards. References External links 1958 births Living people United States Naval Academy alumni United States submarine commanders Naval War College alumni United States Navy vice admirals African-American United States Navy personnel Military personnel from Cleveland Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Recipients of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership People from Cuyahoga County, Ohio Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people