My career as an officer in the U.S. Navy began nearly three decades ago.  I am currently serving as an active duty Captain, as an Assistant Professor of Naval and American history at the United States Naval Academy.  Before transitioning to classroom, I accumulated over 2,500 flight hours as a Navy pilot, mainly in SH-60B & MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. Earning my commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1997, I have deployed on frigates, cruisers, and aircraft carriers. I have served as a weapons and tactics instructor, squadron maintenance officer, and an operational test director. Additionally, I have completed tours of duty in engineering and acquisitions at the Naval Air Systems Command and am a past recipient of the Samuel Eliot Morison Naval History Scholarship.