LCDR Gary "Joe" Bickel

Past Executive Officer, USS Chafee (DDG 90)

22 January 2021 Lieutenant Commander Bickel is a native of Greenville, Ohio. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1994 and completed his Nuclear Pipeline training in August 1995. He graduated from Thomas Edison State University in 2004, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Technology. Upon graduation he selected for Officer Candidate School and earned his naval commission in January 2006.  He received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2012.
 
LCDR Bickel’s sea tours include: USS PASADENA (SSN-752) serving as Electricians Mate Leading Petty Officer from 1995-2000; USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 80) as Auxiliary Officer and Navigator from 2006-2009, sailing with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 and IWO JIMA Expeditionary Strike Group in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM; USS ROOSEVELT (DDG 80) as Weapons and Combat Systems Officer from 2013-2016, sailing with GEORGE H. W. BUSH and DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Groups  in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in the Arabian Gulf.
 
Ashore, LCDR Bickel supported the Nuclear Field ‘A’ School Charleston as an Instructor and Master Training Specialist from 2000-2005, served as a Training Liaison Officer for Afloat Training Group Mayport from 2009-2011, and served as Director of Training for Afloat Training Group Mayport from 2016-2020.
 
LCDR Bickel has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corp Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various other personal, unit and campaign service medals and ribbons.