CAPT Canady was born and raised in Hope Mills, North Carolina. He attended North Carolina State University where he earned a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1994. Following college he was commissioned via Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida.

Following completion of the nuclear power training pipeline his first tour of duty was aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74), where he served as Machinery Division Officer and later, as the Reactor Training Division Officer.

In October 2002, CAPT Canady reported to USS CARR (FFG-52) and served as Combat Systems Officer, deploying to the Arabian Gulf for the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. In January 2004, CAPT Canady reported to USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) where he served two years as the Forward Station Officer.

In June 2006, CAPT Canady reported to USS STEPHEN W. GROVES (FFG-29) as the Executive Officer. During his two-year tour USS STEPHEN W. GROVES deployed to the Eastern Pacific where she conducted counter narco-terrorism operations. CAPT Canady severed as Commanding Officer in USS KLAKRING (FFG-42) from February 2011 to December 2012. Under his Command USS KLAKRING earned the Battle Efficiency Award for 2011 and completed her final deployment, conducting FIRESCOUT ISR operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

In April 2013, CAPT Canady reported as Reactor Officer on USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) where he served through August 2015. During his tour NIMITZ completed an eight-month deployment, initial carrier testing of the F-35, a change of homeport from Everett to Bremerton, WA, and six months of a sixteen-month EPIA.

Most recently CAPT Canady served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) from September 2017 to June 2020. During his tour IWO JIMA participated in hurricane relief efforts following hurricane Irma, deployed to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, participated in TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2018 in the Arctic, completed an extended maintenance availability and earned consecutive Battle Efficiency Awards.

CAPT Canady’s tours ashore include instructor duty at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command where he taught Aspects of Reactor Plant Operations, student at the Naval War College in Newport, RI where he earned his M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies, Chief Staff Officer in Destroyer Squadron FIFTY forward deployed in Bahrain, and Special Assistant to the Director of Naval Reactors for CVN Operations in Washington, DC. Most recently CAPT Canady served as Director, Training and Exercises for Fourth Fleet/NAVSOUTH.

CAPT Canady is married to the former Miss Catherine Gritzer of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. They have two daughters, Carolyn and Victoria.

Commander Joshua L. Bacca was born and raised in Turlock, California. He enlisted in the Navy in 1995 and attended boot camp in Great Lakes, IL. Following boot camp, he received orders to the USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64), where he served as a Fire Controlman and completed a Western Pacific deployment.

While attached to CV 64 Commander Bacca was selected for an NROTC scholarship. He graduated from the University of San Diego in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science and earned his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy.  He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in July 2004.

Commander Bacca reported in January 2005 to the “Liberty Bells” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE-ONE-FIVE, VAW-115, in Atsugi, Japan flying the E-2C Hawkeye. While attached to VAW-115 he completed 3 deployments and 7 patrols in the FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleet operating areas.

Commander Bacca’s first shore tour in 2008 was as an instructor in Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE-TWO-ZERO, VAW-120, the E-2C/D Fleet Replacement Squadron, at NS Norfolk, VA.

He next reported to Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, ECRC, at Joint Base Little Creek, VA, where he served as an Action Officer and Transportation Officer in support of Individual Augmentee missions world-wide. His short time at ECRC was followed by a disassociated sea tour aboard USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77).

Following his disassociated sea tour, Commander Bacca joined the “Bluetails” of VAW-121 at NS Norfolk, VA for his Department Head tour, serving as the Training Officer, Safety Officer, Administration Officer, and Maintenance Officer.

In August 2016, Commander Bacca was selected to participate in the Secretary of the Navy Tours with Industry program. As a participant, he spent one year in Memphis, TN working at the FED EX World Headquarters.

Commander Bacca reported to Carrier Strike Group Four (CSG 4) at NS Norfolk, VA in August 2017 and served as the Electronic Warfare Officer as well as the Assistant Director of the Maritime Operations Center.

In August 2019, Commander Bacca reported to the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) as the Air Operations Officer in Newport News, VA.

In August 2021 Commander Bacca reported to the Naval ROTC Unit at The Ohio State University as the Executive Officer.

Commander Bacca earned his MBA from Western Governors University in 2015. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Award (3), and other personal, campaign, and service ribbons.

Captain Caleb A. Griffin, a native of Sunbury, OH, originally enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005. After recruit training and Enlisted Air Crew School, LCpl Griffin attended Basic Loadmaster Qualification at Little Rock AFB. He was then assigned to VMGR-252 aboard MCAS Cherry Point. While stationed at VMGR-252 Cpl Griffin deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (8.2), Operation Enduring Freedom (9.1), and Operation Enduring Freedom CJTF-HOA (10.2). While serving as a KC-130J Loadmaster Instructor, Sgt Griffin was selected for the MECEP program.  Sgt Griffin attended the University of Colorado at Boulder majoring in Mechanical Engineering, graduating in May of 2015.

In March of 2016, upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to MATSG-21 for Individual Flight Screening and Aircraft Preflight Indoctrination. 2^ndLt Griffin reported to VT-3 in October of 2016 to begin Primary Flight Training. Upon completion of Primary Flight Training and subsequent selection to the KC-130 pipeline, 1stLt Griffin reported to TW-4 in July of 2017 and began advanced training at VT-31 in September. On March 2, 2018 1stLt Griffin was designated a Naval Aviator. He began training at the Fleet Replacement Detachment East aboard MCAS Cherry Point, NC. Upon completion, he was assigned to VMGR-152 in Iwakuni, Japan.

1stLt Griffin spent his first year in the squadron as earning flying qualifications while leading the supply and embarkation section. Subsequently, Capt Griffin moved to the Maintenance Department as an OIC in the Loadmaster work center and Plane Captain Program Manager where he helped develop Enlisted Aircrewmen both personally and professionally. He flew in support of numerous unit detachments supporting operations across the Pacific. His KC-130J flight leadership qualifications include Transport Plane Commander, Basic Instructor Pilot, Section Leader, and Partial Functional Check Flight.

Captain Griffin reported as Marine Officer Instructor and Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, The Ohio State University in August 2022.  He is responsible for preparing Marine Option Midshipmen and Marine Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program students for Officer Candidates School and serving as the Marine Corps representative to the unit.

Lieutenant Michael A. Sokol was born in Pittsburgh, PA on April 16th, 1984. He attended Bucknell University from 2002-2006, earning a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with minors in Physics and East Asian Studies. After graduation, LT Sokol was accepted into General Electric’s Edison Engineering Development Program where he worked for GE’s sub-business Consumer & Industrial as part of their Lighting Division in Cleveland, OH.

In February of 2010, LT Sokol began work with Bold Alternatives, a solar installation company in Cleveland, as a solar designer and installer. While at Bold Alternatives, he was tasked with design, installation, maintenance, sales, customer education, and liaison to municipal governments and commercial power companies.

In May of 2014, LT Sokol was selected for the NUPOC program and swore into the Navy. He commissioned as a Naval Officer upon graduation of Officer Candidate School in October 2014. After completing the Officer Nuclear Power Training Program and Submarine Officer Basic Course, LT Sokol reported to the USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783), homeported in Groton, CT, in August 2016.

While on MINNESOTA, LT Sokol served as Electrical Assistant (EA), Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA), and Assistant Weapons Officer (AWEPS) for the ship’s maiden deployment, two DPPs, three SCCs, and three ORSEs. Awards earned on MINNESOTA include three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement awards, two Battle Efficiency “E” awards, one Expeditionary award, one Global War on Terror award, one Sea Service award, and one Arctic Service award. LT Sokol received orders to the PCU OREGON (SSN 793) and reported in March 2019.

On OREGON, LT Sokol served as the AWEPS, Antiterrorism Officer (ATO), and temporarily as the WEPS. As AWEPS and WEPS, his team stood up Weapons Department programs and commenced tactical training months ahead of schedule in the PCU timeline. As ATO, he and his team stood up the ship’s ATFP program in preparation for OREGON’s first Antiterrorism Certification. Other duties on OREGON included execution of complex test procedures and major shipyard critical-path evolutions as well as training, mentoring, and leading Wardroom junior officers.

LT Sokol received orders to Ohio State University as an NROTC instructor and reported in December 2020. LT Sokol currently resides in Dublin, OH.

Lieutenant Turner grew up all across the country graduating from Kamiak High School in Everett, WA in 2010. He attended the Washington State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in December 2014.

In February of 2015 Lieutenant Turner reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida to begin his Naval Aviator Training and earned his “Wings of Gold” in January 2017 as a Naval Aviator. Following Fleet Replacement Training in the MH-60R “Seahawk” at Naval Air Station North Island San Diego, California, Lieutenant Turner reported to the BattleCats of HSM-73 in October of 2017, also in San Diego. His assignments there included Daily Schedule Officer, Weekly Schedules Officer, AT/AE Division Officer, JMPS Officer, and Liaison Officer.

Lieutenant Turner joined HSM-73 on deployment in Fifth Fleet from November 2017 to May of 2018. This deployment was in support of Fifth Fleet operations with the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group; to include Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Intelligence/Surveillance/Reconnaissance (ISR) and Search & Rescue.  Lieutenant Turner deployed as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander with the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group from April 2020 to February 2021. This deployment was in support of Fifth Fleet operations; to include ASW, ASUW, ISR, and Search and Rescue. He detached to the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid, Qatar as a Navy Liaison Officer.  From there he worked to coordinate Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) operations all across Fifth Fleet.  Lieutenant Turner has accumulated 750 total flight hours as a Naval Aviator.

Lieutenant Turner assumed duties as the Aviation Officer Instructor at The Ohio State University, NROTC Battalion in February of 2021.

Lieutenant Turner’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various campaign, unit, and service awards.

Doug is a native of Westerville, Ohio. He graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School and is an alumnus of Denison University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

He enlisted in the Navy in 2010, completing deployments onboard USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Inherent Resolve. He advanced to Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer and earned his Enlisted Air and Surface Warfare Specialist qualifications. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island in 2015.

His first assignment was onboard USS McFAUL (DDG 74) in Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the Electrical Officer and Assistant Chief Engineer earning his qualification as Surface Warfare Officer. During the ship’s dry-dock maintenance period, he deployed to the Black Sea and North Arabian Sea onboard USS OSCAR AUSTIN (DDG 79). In 2018 he joined Destroyer Squadron TWO serving as the Training Officer for nine Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. He stood over 1,000 hours as Staff Tactical Action Officer during a 10-month around-the-world deployment attached to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Sixth, Fifth, and Seventh Fleet operations.

LT Spencer reported as Assistant Professor of Naval Science and Surface Warfare Instructor at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, The Ohio State University in August 2020.

LT Spencer’s personal awards and decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign, unit, and service awards.

Gunnery Sergeant Puckett was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and raised in Eden, North Carolina.  In October 2010 he attended recruit training with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. In January 2011 he then reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Marine Combat Training. In February 2011 he transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, to attend the Amphibious Assault Crewmen Course where he earned the MOS 1833. He was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal due to being the honor graduate of his class.

In June 2011 upon completion of school Lance Corporal Puckett reported for duty to 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2D Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served primarily as a crew chief in Alpha Company. In October 2011 he deployed with his company to South America in support of Special Purpose MAGTF Southern Partnership Station-12, where he served as a fire team leader in a provisional infantry platoon. He returned from deployment in December 2011. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in March 2012 and was assigned as an assistant section leader. February 2013 he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In August 2013 he deployed with Alpha Company, third platoon where he served as an assistant section leader to Japan in support of the Unit Deployed Program. He returned home from deployment in February 2014.

In October 2014 Sergeant Puckett reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor duty with class 1-15. While on Drill Instructor Duty Sergeant Puckett served as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in January 2017. Staff Sergeant Puckett reported to 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2D Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina February 2018.

Upon checking into 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion Staff Sergeant Puckett was appointed as the Mobility/Counter Mobility platoon sergeant. In October 2018 Staff Sergeant Puckett was selected to deploy with 3^rd Battalion 8^th Marine Regiment to Norway in order to execute Task Force Northern Screen as part of NATO Operation Trident Juncture. Returning back to 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion in December of 2018 Staff Sergeant Puckett was then selected to deploy to Afghanistan with Task Force South-West.

Staff Sergeant Puckett deployed in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel to Helmand Province, Afghanistan fulfilling the roles of Assistant Operations Chief and the Commanding Generals Personal Security Detachment Chief. While deployed Staff Sergeant Puckett was combat meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant out of all forward deployed forces under Marine Forces Central Command in September of 2019. Prior to completion of his deployment Gunnery Sergeant Puckett was selected as in the incoming Assistant Marine Officer Instructor for the NROTC program at Ohio State University.

Gunnery Sergeant Puckett’s personal awards include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat ‘C’ device and 1 gold star in lieu of second award, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 gold star in lieu of second award.