CAPT D. Michael Ray

Chief Staff Officer, Afloat Training Group (ATGPAC)

01 August 2023 CAPT Ray graduated from Georgetown University and was commissioned via the NROTC program in 1996. After attending Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, RI, he reported to his first ship, USS Anchorage (LSD 36). In USS Anchorage, he served as Weapons Officer, Communications Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. Subsequent Sea Tours included E-Division Officer in USS Constellation (CV 64), Chief Engineer in USS Comstock (LSD 45), and N4 Material Officer in Amphibious Squadron THREE (CPR-3). During his tour in Amphibious Squadron THREE, CAPT Ray was selected to fill a one-year Individual Augmentation billet at Multi-National Forces – Iraq in the Combined Joint Operations directorate. CAPT Ray first served Executive Officer in USS New Orleans from December 2011 to November 2012 and subsequently took command of New Orleans in November of 2012. While onboard New Orleans, he deployed twice to Fifth Fleet in support of the Global War on Terror.

CAPT Ray reported to USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as Executive Officer in November 2019 and served as Executive Officer through the 12 Jul 2020 fire and subsequent decommissioning of Bonhomme Richard in April, 2021.

Ashore, he served in Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific as Force Personnel Officer, Military Sealift Command Pacific as Chief Staff Officer, the US Naval Academy as a Battalion Officer, and as the Surface Warfare Officer Community Manager at Bureau of Naval Personnel THREE (BUPERS-3) in Millington, TN. CAPT Ray received a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service with a concentration in Humanities and International Affairs from Georgetown University and a Global Masters in Business Administration from National University.

He reported to Expeditionary Strike Group THREE in May 2021 and served as Deputy Chief of Staff and N3/5/7 during the reorganization that brought 16 littoral combat ships, one mine-countermeasure command element, and the homeland defense mine-countermeasure mission under its responsibility. Finishing his tour at ESG-3 in October 2022, he reported to Afloat Training Group Pacific in November 2022 and currently serves as the Chief Staff Officer. His decorations and awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit decorations.