Captain Peter A. Gumataotao, USN
Chief of Staff, Naval Surface Forces

CAPT Pete Aguon Gumataotao, a native of Sinajana, Guam, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management. Subsequently, in 1993 he earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

He is a Surface Warfare Officer who has deployed extensively to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf. His Division Officer tours were on board USS BAGLEY (FF 1069) as the First Lieutenant/CIC Officer and USS WORDEN (CG 18) as the Battery Control Officer.

His first shore assignment was to Commander Third Fleet as the Assistant Surface Operations Officer and Surface Systems Analysis Officer. At THIRDFLEET, he was the primary action officer for the planning and execution of Tomahawk Operational Test Launches to include the only open ocean Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM) live test shot conducted in the Pacific Fleet.

His initial Department Head tour was aboard USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) as the Combat Systems Officer. While aboard REUBEN JAMES, his department was awarded the Spokane Trophy Award for Combat Systems excellence. USS REUBEN JAMES was also one of two ships that accompanied Commander, Pacific Fleet on an historic port visit to Vladivostok, Russia in 1990. His follow-on Department Head tour was as Combat Systems Officer for Destroyer Squadron THIRTY ONE where he participated in numerous undersea warfare research and development projects both in open-ocean and shallow water towed array operations.

During his Executive Officer tour aboard USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54), he assumed command while the ship was deployed to the Arabian Gulf. Following his Executive Officer tour, he served as a Fellow for the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group at the Center for Naval Analysis in Washington, DC, then served as Congressional Liaison for Surface Programs at the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs.

He commanded the guided missile Destroyer, USS DECATUR (DDG 73), then served as the Current Operations Officer for Commander, Pacific Fleet. He latest sea tour was as Commander Destroyer Squadron Thirty One where he oversaw eight Pearl Harbor Guided Missile Destroyers and Frigates. He previously served as the Chief of Division for Current Operations for the United States Pacific Command headquarters. He currently serves as Chief of Staff for Naval Surface Forces.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and Battle Efficiency Ribbon (two awards). He was the recipient of the Hawaii Navy League Award and COMNAVSURFPAC Shiphandler of the Year award. He was also the recipient of the first Admiral Zumwalt Award for visionary leadership in 2001.