John Blackwelder Nowell Jr.[1] (born 1962)[2] is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy.

[4] Nowell's staff assignments included tours on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Surface Warfare Directorate (N86), and executive assistant to the Director of Theater Air Warfare (N865); chief of the Theater Air and Missile Defense Branch (J-38); head of the Washington Placement Branch (PERS-441), executive assistant to the Commander, Navy Personnel Command/Naval Personnel Development Command, and director, Surface Warfare Distribution Division (PERS-41).

Nowell also served as director of the Navy Senate Liaison Office in Washington D.C.[4] As a flag officer, Nowell served as chief of staff and director, Strategy, Resources, and Plans (N5/8) on the staff of Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S.

Serving concurrently as the deputy chief of naval operations (manpower, personnel, training and education) (N1), he was responsible for the planning and programming of all manpower, personnel, training and education resources for the United States Navy.

As CNP, he led more than 26,000 people engaged in the recruiting, talent management, training and development of Navy personnel.