Caudle, a career submariner, has led Fleet Forces since December 2021. Before that job, he led Naval Submarine Forces and Naval Submarine Force Atlantic.
During his career he served on numerous attack submarines and one nuclear ballistic missile submarine, according to his service biography. He served as the commanding officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN-759), USS Helena (SSN-725) and USS Topeka(SSN-754) as well as the commander of Submarine Squadron 3.
He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1985 and is originally from Winston-Salem, N.C., according to his bio.
During his time leading Fleet Forces, Caudle was critical of industry for not meeting program schedules, particularly for munitions. At the 2023 Surface Navy Association conference, Caudle dismissed industry for citing the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain problems as reasons for delays.
Caudle also led the Navy’s Large Scale Exercise 2023 series while commanding Fleet Forces.