CDR David G. Shaffer

Executive Officer, USS Portland (LPD 27)

04 December 2024
Commander Shaffer is a native of Fairport, New York. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Oregon State University in 2010 and a Master of Arts in Homeland Security from Naval Postgraduate School in 2016. He was commissioned through NROTC at Oregon State University in June 2010. 

CDR Shaffer’s first sea duty was aboard USS Ashland (LSD 48) as a deck and weapons officer. He took the ship through their mid-life upgrade and back to full operational capability. His second sea duty was aboard USS San Jacinto (CG 56) as Assistant Chief Engineer and completed a nine month fifth and sixth fleet deployment. His Department Head tour was aboard USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) as the Chief Engineer and took the ship through the entire lifecycle including a nine month fifth and seventh fleet deployment. 

CDR Shaffer’s shore duties include earning his master’s at Naval Postgraduate School, teaching NROTC at University of Minnesota, and being the Section Head for Rotating Radars, EO/IR, and Navigation at OPNAV N96. 

CDR Shaffer’s personal decorations include Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various individual, campaign, and unit awards.