CDR Rich Ray

Past Executive Officer, USS O’Kane (DDG 77)

16 May 2022 Originally from Thomasville, GA, CDR Rich Ray attended The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina on a Navy ROTC scholarship and majored in English Literature before graduating in 2006.

Rich began his career as First Lieutenant & VBSS Officer onboard USS VELLA GULF (CG 72), based in Norfolk, VA.  Following BALTOPS in 2006 and successive C5F deployments, Rich reported to COMCMDIV ELEVEN in Sasebo, Japan as the OPS / Chief Staff Officer.  Following this tour, Rich served as the Flag Lieutenant to Amphibious Force SEVENTHFLT / ESG-7 based in Okinawa, Japan.  Shortly after Operation TOMODACHI concluded, Rich transferred to Monterey, California in order to begin the National Security Affairs curriculum in 2012 with a regional focus of East Asia.

Upon from the Naval Postgraduate School, CDR Ray completed Department Head School and reported to USS JOHN S. McCAIN (DDG 56) as the Operations Officer.  Onboard BIG BAD JOHN, CDR Ray participated within a number of bi-lateral and multi-national exercises in addition to real-world operations through the Western Pacific.  Upon completion of duties as Operations Officer, Rich reported to Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN as the N3 during which time he deployed as part of RONALD REAGAN Strike Group.  While at CDS-15, Rich coordinated the daily operations and execution of 7F’s Theater SUW mission between 8 Forward Deployed DDGs and over 7 independent deployers. In the Fall of 2016, Rich was selected as an ASW/SUW WTI and reported to SMWDC HQ in San Diego, CA to serve as the CSG SWATT Planner and WTI Program Manager.

Most recently, Rich has served as the Basic Division Officer Course Officer in Charge and Mariner Skills Training Center PACIFIC Executive Officer.  He reported to USS O’KANE in February of 2022 for duties as the Executive Officer.