Locklear enlisted in the United States Navy in March 1972 at the age of 17. His basic training and active service was placed on hold when he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy after graduating from James F Byrnes High School in 1972. Locklear graduated from the Naval Academy in 1977, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in operations analysis.
Naval career
After receiving his commission as an ensign, Locklear served aboard as Main Propulsion Assistant and Missile Fire Control Officer. He was then selected for training and service in the Navy Nuclear Propulsion program, and served as Electrical Principal Assistant in. Graduating with honors from the Surface Warfare Department Head School, he served as Operations Officer and Engineering Officer in, and as Executive Officer in. Subsequently, he commanded and served as Commander, Destroyer Squadron 2 deploying with the Battle Group. In October 2002, he assumed command of Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5 and Nimitz Strike Group deploying to the Persian Gulf in 2003 in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Ashore, Locklear has served as a Company Officer in the Office of the Commandant, United States Naval Academy and later as the 78th Commandant of Midshipmen. In Washington, D.C., he served as Chief of the Regional Engagement and Presence Joint Warfare Capabilities Assessment Branch in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and as Deputy Director for Requirements in the Assessment Division. In February 2004, he returned to the OPNAV Staff as Deputy Director for Surface Warfare, and in October 2004, he became the Director of the Assessment Division. In October 2005 he became the Director of the Programming Division. From May 2007 to July 2009, he served as Commander, United States Third Fleet and, from July 2009, as Director, Navy Staff. Locklear is a 1992 graduate of the National Defense University's Industrial College of the Armed Forces, holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the George Washington University, and attended the Senior Officials in National Security course at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. Locklear's personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal with gold star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with four gold stars, Bronze Star Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy Achievement Medal with gold star, and numerous unit and campaign awards. In March 2011, Locklear commanded United States Navy forces enforcing the Libyan no-fly zone, with overall command going to General Carter Ham. Locklear has called climate change the biggest worry for the United States. On April 9, 2013, Jim Inhofe, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, asked Locklear to clarify his position of climate change as the principal national security threat. Locklear cited USAID government statistics on recent Indo-Asian natural disasters and the long range planning challenges of our security partners and allies in the region. In 2015, Leonard Glenn Francis, the contractorat the center of the "Fat Leonard" navy corruption scandal, told Navy investigators that he paid for "opulent dinners and other favors" for Locklear, including procuring a prostitute. Although the navy cleared Locklear of wrongdoing, the episode prevented his appointment to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for which he had been shortlisted. Locklear retired from the navy in June 2015, a month after Joseph Dunford was appointed chairman instead.
