As a former military officer my career consisted of multiple land-based and seagoing assignments. During land-based assignments, I held research, management, and operational positions in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries, Ocean Service, Weather, and Research Laboratories.  I also obtained a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, a Coast Guard Masters License (1600-ton, Oceans), a NOAA Dive Master/Advanced Diver Certification, and over 400 hours of supervision and management training.  During seagoing assignments, I conducted over 100 different scientific surveys covering most of the world’s oceans.  From 2011 to 2013 I served as Captain of NOAA’s largest and most advanced research vessel, the Ronald H. Brown, where I guided 12 highly successful international scientific research cruises. I retired from active duty in 2015 and have since focused on teaching and operational training.