CDR Mark Gillaspie

Chief Staff Officer, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 7

30 November 2023 CDR Gillaspie was raised in Dakota City, Nebraska and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989. He received his commission through the Enlisted Commissioning Program and graduated from Auburn University in August of 2000. Prior to his commission, he served eleven years as an Aviation Structural Mechanic with sea tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 37 and Strike Fighter Squadron 86 with deployments on USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and USS AMERICA (CV 66).
 

His Division Officer tours included Main Propulsion Assistant in USS JOHN L. HALL (FFG 32) and Training Officer in USS ANZIO (CG 68). CDR Gillaspie completed his Department Head tours as Chief Engineer in MCM CREW CONSTANT and as Maintenance/Materiel Officer and Chief Staff Officer in Commander Amphibious Squadron ONE with deployments to 5th Fleet onboard USS DEXTROUS (MCM 10) and USS BOXER (LHD 4). He has served as the Executive Officer in USS GREEN BAY (LPD 20), USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG 48), and USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52).

CDR Gillaspie's tours ashore include Naval Postgraduate School where he studied National Security Affairs, Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific as N31 Current Operations/N40 Surface Warfare Enterprise, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He also served as the Operations Officer for Sea Combat Division, Surface and Mine Warfare Development Center as well as a tour as Senior Assessor for Engineering Assessments Pacific. His most recent tour was as the Executive and Commanding Officer for Maritime Expeditionary Squadron THREE conducting two deployments to C5F.

CDR Gillaspie's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (5), Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (4) and various unit and service awards.