CDR Erik S. Roberts

Past Executive Officer, USS Momsen (DDG 92)

21 March 2020
CDR Erik S. Roberts is a native from Munich, Germany and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from the Electronics Program at Delcastle Vocational-Technical High School in 1986 and enlisted in the Navy’s Nuclear Electronics Program in May 1990. Due to downsizing, he was forced-converted to a conventional ET and trained as a shipboard Air Traffic Control radar technician. His first duty station was Fleet Tactical Deception Group Pacific in San Diego where he designed a prototype radar simulator with components from an obsolete U.S. Air Force system slated for disposal. His archetype was designed to train U.S. Marine pilots to recognize and evade ground-based anti-aircraft weapons systems. The “STE-1” was approved by the Navy for use in live-fire training scenarios in 1992.
 
CDR Roberts’ enlisted sea duty experience includes decommissioning the Destroyer Tender USS ACADIA (AD 42), two 6-month deployments aboard the Guided Missile Cruiser USS PRINCETON (CG 59) in support of Operation Desert Shield and South American Counter-Drug Operations, and the 8-month maiden deployment of the Amphibious Assault Ship USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Joint Task Force Liberia. In 2004, Chief Roberts was commissioned as a Surface Electronics Limited Duty Officer. As EMO, he completed a NATO deployment aboard the Guided Missile Frigate USS ELROD (FFG 55) in support of Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean and a 3-year tour of duty aboard the forward-deployed Guided Missile Destroyer USS JOHN S. McCAIN (DDG 56). Redesignated as an Unrestricted Line Officer in 2009, he was subsequently detailed back to JOHN S. McCAIN as Operations Officer. In 2014, he volunteered to fill a gapped Combat Systems Officer billet aboard the Guided Missile Cruiser USS ANTIETAM (CG 54), his third consecutive Forward Deployed Naval Forces sea tour in Yokosuka, Japan. In April 2016, he took command of USS MONSOON (PC 4), forward-deployed to Manama, Bahrain. Under his leadership, MONSOON was the most operational and the most highly decorated Coastal Patrol ship in 2016, and the only permanently-crewed PC ever to earn consecutive Battle ‘E’ awards. Following his FIFTH Fleet command tour, he volunteered to remain in Bahrain to serve as N3 Officer of Naval Surface Squadron FIVE, managing the operational and training schedules for 14 FDNF Bahrain ships. CDR Roberts currently serves as Executive Officer in USS MOMSEN (DDG 92).
 
His military decorations include (2) Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, (4) Navy Commendation Medals, (3) Joint Service Achievement Medals, (3) Navy Achievement Medals, and the Presidential Service Badge for distinction as a Lead Radio Technician while assigned to the White House Communications Agency 1997-2002. 
 
CDR Roberts earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology Management at American Military University, and his Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technology at Naval Postgraduate School. He is married to the former Trese Jaber of Clarksville, Virginia and has a daughter, Casey Ann, who is pursuing a Master of Education degree at Bloomsburg University.