CDR Joel Stoorza

Executive Officer, USS Comstock (LSD 45)

21 October 2024

Commander Joel Stoorza enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2001. He served with 8th Tanks, Alpha Co., 2d Marines, 1st Bn, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Task Force Tarawa) in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was selected for the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in 2003. In 2004, LCPL Stoorza reported to the U.S. Naval Academy, commissioning in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations.

 

After commissioning, he was assigned in 2008 to USS THACH (FFG 43), in San Diego, CA and served as Communications Officer. LTJG Stoorza then reported as Assistant Operations Officer onboard USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) Gold Crew where he served until 2014 when he transferred to Surface Warfare Officers School as an instructor. Following department head school in Newport, RI, he reported in 2017 to USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) in Norfolk, VA as the Weapons Officer, then Combat Systems Officer until 2020 when he reported to the staff of Commander, Task Force 65/Destroyer Squadron SIX ZERO as the Material Readiness Officer (N4).

 

Ashore, he reported to the U.S. Naval War College to earn a Master of Arts is Defense and Strategic Studies and Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I in 2022.

 

His decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards) and various unit and campaign awards.