LCDR Michael J. Pires

Past Commanding Officer, USS Chief (MCM 14)

28 August 2023 LCDR Michael Pires hails from Mountainside, NJ and commissioned through OCS in October, 2010 after graduating from the University of Hartford. His first duty station was onboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) from 2010-2013 as the Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) and Auxiliaries Engineering Officer (AUXO). While onboard, he completed a successful Fifth and Sixth Fleet deployment.

Following his initial sea tour he was assigned as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer to 2d Battalion, 11th Marines (2/11), 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, CA from 2013-2015. While assigned to 2/11, LCDR Pires was the Assistant Fire Support Coordinator for 5th Marine Regiment. 

After his second division officer tour, LCDR Pires was assigned to shore duty at the expeditionary fires division of Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific (EWTGPAC) from 2015-2018, responsible for the NSFS training and live fire qualification of all Third Fleet Cruisers and Destroyers.

Following his shore duty, LCDR Pires attended the Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) course of instruction and received his designation as an AMW WTI. Upon completion of WTI training, LCDR Pires attended Department Head School at the Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) and the Ships Self Defense System (SSDS) Warfare Operators course at Ageis Readiness Training Center, Dahlgren, VA.

LCDR Pires reported onboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17) as the Plans and Tactics Officer in March of 2019. He continued serving onboard USS San Antonio as the Operations Officer for his second Department Head tour until July of 2021.

LCDR served as Executive Officer prior to assuming command of USS Chief (MCM 14).

LCDR Pires’ personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (two awards), and various unit, campaign and service awards.