CDR Benjamin Gabbard

Executive Officer, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49)

07 April 2023 A native of Iowa City, IA and was raised in an Army family in Arnold, MD. CDR Gabbard attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 2008 with a degree in Quantitative Economics. He was designated as a Full Time Support Surface Warfare Officer in 2009. 

At sea, he served as 1st/2nd Division Officer in USS Makin Island (LHD 8) and USS Dubuque (LPD 8), and Training Officer in USS Anzio (CG 68). He completed department head tours onboard USS Mahan (DDG 72) as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer. 

Ashore, CDR Gabbard served as Executive Officer of Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Alameda, CA, and Deputy Director for Antiterrorism and Force Protection for Commander Navy Reserve Forces Command. He held command of NOSC Anchorage, AK, earning the 2020 Overall NRC of the Year award for the Northwest Region. 

CDR Gabbard is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit awards. He was Destroyer Squadron 22 Tactician and Shiphandler of the Year for 2018. In 2019, he received the peer-nominated Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award for his performance on Mahan. In 2022 he earned a Master’s of Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School. He reported to USS Harpers Ferry as Executive Officer in February, 2023.