Military service

---

 I had an absolutely amazing career in the U.S. Navy but I had some pretty big shoes to fill. My father attended West Point and served in the Army in Germany, prior to attending ASU Law School. His father, my Grandpa Joe, was a no-kidding war hero and was awarded the Silver Star. 

After completing several years of school including Naval Nuclear Power training in Florida and Idaho, I reported aboard my submarine, the USS Sam Houston, in Hawaii. The submarine was highly modified to carry a mini-submersible and was equipped to support special operations with the Navy SEALs and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1). 

We conducted the first Western Pacific deployment of a Dry Deck capable submarine. It was cutting-edge warfare at the time and has since become part of the standard mission capability built into most modern-day submarines. It took 12 years for me to find out the nature of the missions that we conducted during that deployment.

I was selected to serve on USS Seawolf (SSN-21), which was the most difficult and most rewarding tour that I could have ever done. The boat was a Cold War behemoth built from the ground up for incredible speed and stealth. This tour ultimately paved the way for me to be assigned to USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23), which is a Seawolf-class submarine with a special 100-foot section added, making it the most advanced and most classified ship in the world. 

The Jimmy Carter has since become the most decorated ship in the Navy, routinely conducting top-secret missions in support of our national interests. It was on this submarine that I became the first officer to qualify in submarines, an extraordinary accomplishment that was recognized by former President Jimmy Carter, the ship’s namesake.

After serving four years as the Assistant Engineer on USS Jimmy Carter, I was selected to work for Naval Reactors and the Department of Energy in an oversight role. However, my heart was still with driving ships, and I respectfully asked instead to be assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). After serving two years on her, I was deep selected for spot promotion to Lieutenant Commander and assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68). 

While I loved driving submarines, I don’t know if anything can compare with driving 100,000 displacement tons of pure diplomacy around the world. I completed numerous deployments on USS Nimitz and decided to retire after serving on her for four years, most of which was at sea.

After 24 years, I was promoted nine times from E-3 to E-8, and again from O-1 to O-4. I was one of only a handful of officers in the Navy to qualify as both a Submarine Warfare Officer (Gold Dolphins) and a Surface Warfare Officer. And despite my professional success in the Navy, I was just one of thousands of outstanding men and women who have proudly served our country. 

I miss my shipmates terribly, many of whom continue to serve, and several who have made Gilbert and the East Valley their home.

The Town of Gilbert recognized me for my military service as part of Operation Welcome Home in 2012. I’ve always been very reserved about discussing my military service, but Gilbert made me feel proud of my accomplishments. 

If you ever see a veteran, please thank them for their service. We may blush, but it truly does mean so much to us to have our service and our sacrifice recognized by others.

USS SAM HOUSTON (SSN 609) - Pearl Harbor, HI

USS TINOSA (SSN 606) - Bremerton, WA

USS LaJOLLA (SSN 701) - San Diego, CA

USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) - Groton, CT

USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22) - Groton, CT

USS JIMMY CARTER (SSN 23) - Groton. CT

USS TOLEDO (SSN 769) - Groton, CT

USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) - San Diego, CA

USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) - San Diego, CA