CAPT Justin L. Harts

Past Deputy Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15

28 June 2022 Originally from San Diego, California, Captain Harts graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Transportation and Logistics and an Unlimited U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate's license.  He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Systems Engineering and Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College. 

Captain Harts' sea duty assignments include tours as Communications Officer and Assistant Chief Engineer in USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62), Operations Officer in USS PAUL HAMILTON (DDG 60), Operations Officer with Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN embarked in USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), and as the Flag Secretary with Carrier Strike Group SEVEN embarked in USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76).  These assignments included numerous deployments to the THIRD, FIFTH, and SEVENTH Fleet Areas of Responsibility in support of Operations NOBLE EAGLE, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and TOMODACHI.  His most recent sea duty assignments were as Executive Officer in USS COWPENS (CG 63) and in command of the Guided Missile Destroyer USS BENFOLD (DDG 65) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

Ashore, Captain Harts served as Flag Aide to the Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School, an Associate Fellow with the CNO's Strategic Studies Group, the Department of the Navy's Readiness Liaison to Congress in the Office of Legislative Affairs, and as the U.S. Navy’s Hudson Fellow at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.  Captain Harts most recently served as the Chief of Staff for the Joint Force Development Directorate (J-7) on the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C.

His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (Five Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Three Awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Three Awards), as well as various other unit and campaign awards.