CAPT Paul Lee grew up on a dairy farm in west central Minnesota on the homestead that has been in the family for four generations. He enlisted in the Navy in November 1989 as a submarine Machinist Mate, and during his training, he was selected and became an Engineering Laboratory Technician. His first assignment was onboard USS SCRANTON (SSN 756) out of Norfolk, VA where he completed the ship’s maiden deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and the subsequent deployment to the North Atlantic.
At the completion of that tour, he was accepted to the Enlisted Education Advancement Program and subsequently the Enlisted Commissioning Program. Earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University, he commissioned in Aug 1998. ENS Lee was then assigned to USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN 706). After one year aboard, ALBUQUERQUE entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a refueling overhaul. Post junior officer shore duty was at Sub School Groton where he was a Sonar instructor and stood up the Modernization and Training Team. His department head tour was as Engineer Officer on USS MARYLAND (B) (SSBN 738) where he completed three strategic deterrent patrols and an extended refit.
Subsequently, he served as a junior member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examination Board for two years. During his tour as the Executive Officer on USS KEY WEST (SSN 722), they completed an Engineered Overhaul at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and delivered the submarine to Guam. He spent two years at the Washington Navy Yard at PMS 392 as the Assistant Program Manager for Submarine Rescue Transfer Under Pressure. He served as Submarine Squadron Eleven Deputy for Readiness in San Diego, CA.
CDR Lee took command of USS BUFFALO (SSN 715) for inactivation at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Oct 2017. The highlights of his command tour included salvaging sonar equipment six years early, saving several million dollars, preserving the ship’s control panels for the City of Buffalo military museum, cultivating numerous innovations for streamlining the submarine inactivation process, and completing the defueling and docking nearly three months early. Post command, CAPT Lee served as the Current Operations Director at COMSUBPAC, UWDC det Norfolk OIC, and currently serves as the Director, Theater Undersea Warfare Commander Training and Assessment Team.
Paul met his wife, Amy, in Orlando, FL and they have been married for over 33 years. They have four children. Their oldest son served aboard USS RUSSELL (DDG 59) and is now perusing an electrical engineering degree; daughter completed 9 years in Naval Aviation Ordnance and continuing service in the Navy Reserves; second son currently assigned to PCU ARKANSAS; and the youngest son is an Electrician at Newport News Shipyard working on submarines. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and repairing/repurposing old furniture.
Commander Scott C. Hudson was born in Ashland, Oregon. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1992 and reported to Schofield Barracks HI. as a member of A Battery 1-62 Air Defense Artillery where he earned his Air Assault Wings and deployed to Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy
In June 1995, CDR Hudson left active duty to pursue higher education at Southern Oregon University where he graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Conducting and subsequently began teaching high school and middle school music in Rogue River Oregon.
In Oct. 2003, he reported for Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station Pensacola Fl. receiving his commission in January 2004 and designation as a Naval Flight Officer in 2005.
In June 2006, CDR Hudson reported aboard Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) stationed at NAS Brunswick ME flying the P-3C Orion. While Stationed with the “Fighting Tigers” he deployed twice to the 5th fleet AOR Flying missions from Qatar, Iraq, Djibouti and Oman in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism awarded the Navy Battle Efficiency Award.
In June 2009, CDR Hudson reported to VP-30 for duty as an Instructor TACCO in the P-3C and as a member of the Fleet Introduction Team for the P-8A Poseidon. While attached to VP-30 he earned his Weapons and Tactics Instructor qualification and became a trusted agent with the P-8A Integrated Test Team, participating directly with the operational testing phase.
In December 2013, CDR Hudson reported aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), home ported in Bremerton WA., as a member of the Air Department serving as Hangar Deck Division Officer, Aircraft Launch and Recovery (ALRE) Division Officer and TOPCAT, Centralized Work Control Team Officer in Charge during a docked planned incremental availability period earning the Navy Unit Commendation.
In February 2015, CDR Hudson reported to the Pelicans of Patrol Squadron Four Five (VP-45) at NAS Jacksonville FL. For his department head tour serving as the Tactics Officer, Training Officer, Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Red Flag 16-1 OIC (inaugural P-8A participation). VP-45 deployed to the 6th Fleet AOR based out of Sigonella Italy earning the Navy Battle Efficiency Award.
His follow-on shore tour was with the Naval Research Laboratory where he served as the Deputy Command Information Officer.
Most recently CDR Hudson was the Director of C7F Commander’s Action Group where he managed a team of creative thinkers tasked with advising Commander Seventh Fleet and driving his warfighter vision to the fleet. CDR Hudson currently serves as the Executive Officer at Purdue University NROTC.
CDR Hudson has flown over 2000 flight hours in various Naval Aircraft and is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award), Air Medal (with the numeral 3), Navy Commendation Medal (2 Gold Stars in lieu of 3rd award), the Navy Achievement Medal and the Army Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of 4th award) and other personal, campaign and service ribbons.
Lieutenant Jennifer Kwiatek earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the College of Saint Benedict in May of 2013 and then attended Tulane University for her Master of Science in Organic Chemistry in May of 2016. She attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and commissioned as a Student Naval Aviator in May of 2016. From there she attended Aviation Preflight Indoctrination in Pensacola, Florida. Afterwards she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas for Primary Flight Training where she was then selected to be a helicopter pilot. This brought her to Whiting Field in Milton, Florida for Advanced Flight Training and follow on assignment to HSM-40 in Mayport, Florida to fly MH-60R aircraft.
Upon completion of the syllabus at the fleet replenishment squadron, she checked into her first sea squadron with the HSM-70 Spartans out of Jacksonville, Florida in June of 2019. During her time at HSM-70 she deployed with the Harry S. Truman strike group and flew operations both from the Truman and the USS Normandy in the Gulf of Oman. Her three years with HSM-70 gave her experience operating from 3 different aircraft carriers, as well as deploying on a cruiser and a destroyer.
Lieutenant Kwiatek reported to the Naval ROTC unit at Purdue University in August of 2022 and is currently serving as the units Battalion Officer and Safety Officer.
Captain Joshua Calderon attended the United States Naval Academy from 2014 – 2018. He graduated in May 2018, earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He reported to The Basic School in September of 2018, graduating in April 2019 with the 6602 Aviation Supply Officer MOS. 2ndLt Calderon performed on-the-job training at Presidential Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), then completed MOS school at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.
During December 2019, he arrived at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 in Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Readiness Section OIC and Operations Management Division OIC. In December 2020, he deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported multiple international exercises in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. Following deployment, Captain Calderon was hand selected to serve as the S-3 Operations Officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 in March 2021. In November 2022, Captain Calderon transitioned to the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 Supply Department, where he served as the Warehouse Management Division OIC until April 2023.
Captain Calderon reported to the Naval ROTC unit at the Purdue University in May 2023 where he currently serves as the Marine Officer Instructor and the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Officer.
Lieutenant Joseph Wood was born in Fairhope, Alabama. He enlisted in the Navy in 2014 and reported to Auburn University through the Seaman to Admiral-21 program in 2016. In 2019 he earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy.
He reported to Charleston, South Caroline for Nuclear Power School and Prototype from August of 2019 to October of 2020. Lieutenant Wood then completed Submarine Officer Basic course in Groton, Connecticut in December of 2020.
In February of 2021, Lieutenant Wood reported to the USS ALASKA Gold (SSBN-732), home ported in Kings Bay, Georgia. He served as the Main Propulsion Assistant, Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant Engineer, and Peace Time Safety Officer. During his time onboard, the USS ALASKA crossed the Atlantic Ocean to become the first US Ballistic Missile Submarine to enter the Mediterranean in over 25 years, successfully executed two Operational Reactor Safeguards Examinations, a Tactical Weapons Proficiency and five strategic deterrent patrols. The USS ALASKA was awarded the prestigious Battle “E” and Omaha Trophy during his tenure.
Lieutenant Wood reported to the Naval ROTC Unit at Purdue University in December of 2023 and is currently serving as the unit’s Bravo Company Officer.
Lieutenant Alex Kraft is a native of Lebanon, Indiana and commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at Purdue University in 2019 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology.
In January 2020, Lieutenant Kraft received his initial training as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) at Basic Division Officer Course (BDOC) and Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) in San Diego, CA and reported to USS STOCKDALE (DDG 106). There, he served as OI Division Officer, Auxiliaries Officer, and Assistant Chief Engineer. While aboard STOCKDALE, he earned his Surface Warfare Officer pin and completed a deployment in the Western Pacific.
After completing Officer of the Deck Phase II, Advanced Division Officer Course (ADOC) and Surface Navigator (SURFNAV) in fall of 2022, he reported as Navigator aboard USS BARRY (DDG 52), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. Shortly after his arrival, BARRY conducted a trans-Pacific homeport shift to Everett, WA. Additionally, he served as Executive Department Head, working with BARRY’s administrative, medical, and 3M teams.
Lieutenant Kraft returned to his alma mater at Purdue NROTC in November 2024 where he currently serves as Charlie Company Officer
Gunnery Sergeant Shinholster was born and raised in Irwinton, Georgia and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June of 2010, where he attended recruit training in Mike Company 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.
After graduating Marine Combat Training that same year, he attended Marine Corps Communication and Electrical School at Twentynine Palms, California, graduating as a 0612 Field Wireman later modified as Data Systems Administrator.
In 2011, Private First Class Shinholster received orders to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division Okinawa, Japan to serve as a Field Wireman. During this time he deployed as an augment with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion in support of JSOTF-P from November 2011 thru May 2012.
In February 2013, Corporal Shinholster received orders to combat logistics regiment 15 in Camp Pendleton, California as a Field Wireman Supervisor. Due to early re-enlistment incentive Corporal Shinholster received orders in November the same year to 2nd Battalion 11th Marine Regiment to serve as a Field Wireman Supervisor. During this time he deployed with Fox Battery to 31 MEU from November 2014 thru May 2015. During Deployment he attended Martial Arts Instructor Course on Camp Hansen, Okinawa and awarded the MOS 0916.
In August of 2015 Corporal Shinholster was promoted to Sergeant. In February of 2016 he reported to 7th Communication Battalion 3rd Marine Information Group. During this time he held billets of Battalion KMI Manager, Martial Arts Instructor, and Platoon Sergeant. Assignments included Korea Marine Exchange from June 2018 to August 2018.
In October 2018, Sergeant Shinholster reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor Duty with class 1-19. In November 2018 Sergeant Shinholster was Promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was assigned to First Recruit Training Battalion, Alpha Company and held the billets of Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Medical Rehabilitation Platoon Senior Drill Instructor.
In February of 2022, Staff Sergeant Shinholster reported to 2nd Battalion 4th Marines 1st Marine Division. He deployed with 2nd Battalion 4th Marines as part of the 13 MEU.
In January of 2023 he was promoted to his current rank Gunnery Sergeant while serving aboard the USS Anchorage. In March of 2024, Gunnery Sergeant Shinholster reported to Purdue University to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor.