Lieutenant General Rowell assumed the duties as USINDOPACOM Deputy Commander on 14 May 2026, after serving as the USINDOPACOM J5 Director of Strategic Planning and Policy.

Lieutenant General Rowell was commissioned after graduating from the United States Naval Academy with honors in 1992.  After The Basic School, he completed flight school and was designated an FA-18 Hornet pilot. 

Lieutenant General Rowell’s command assignments include Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 “The Hawks” (VMFA(AW)-533) and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1).  Under his command, VMFA(AW)-533 received the MCAA Hanson Award as Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year, and VMX-1 received the MCAA Commandant’s Aviation Award for superior achievement. 

Lieutenant General Rowell’s Staff assignments include Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2^nd Marine Aircraft Wing (FWD), Joint Staff J-8 and Headquarters Marine Corps, Aviation.  As a General Officer, he served as the Director of Communications, HQMC, Assistant Wing Commander of 1^st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Deputy Commander, United States Forces Japan.

In March 2026, Lieutenant General Rowell was awarded Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The decoration recognizes his significant contributions to strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and promoting security cooperation while serving as Deputy Commander, United States Forces Japan.

Lieutenant General Rowell is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff College and Army War College.

Lieutenant General Rowell has accumulated over 3500 flight hours, with over 3000 in the FA-18, and has held every qualification and designation in that aircraft.  He has been NATOPS qualified in the F-5, MV-22 and F-35B.  His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal,  Legion of Merit with gold star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Air Medal Individual Action with combat distinguishing device, Air Medal Strike/Flight award with numeral 5, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and combat distinguishing device, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Last Updated: 21 May 2026