His assignment prior to retirement in 2019 was associate director for military affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency.

He previously served as the 55th President of the Naval War College, and was the first SEAL officer to hold this assignment.

Howe then received orders to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

[4] Howe retired to Newport, RI at the end of 2019 and currently serves on the Navy SEAL Foundation board of advisors.

[1] Howe enrolled as a student at the International Yacht Restoration School of Technology and Trades in Newport, RI for the 2020–2021 academic year.