Capt. Mark Gillaspie
CAPT 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 eight years as an Aviation Structural Mechanic with sea tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 37 and Strike Fighter Squadron 86 with deployments on the 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). CAPT 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 Fifth Fleet onboard USS DEXTROUS (MCM 10) and USS BOXER (LHD 4). He has served as the Executive Officer in USS GREEN BAY (LPD20), USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG48), USS BUNKER HILL (CG52), and was the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron THREE where he completed two deployments to Fifth Fleet. His most recent tour was as the Chief Staff Officer, Commander Amphibious Squadron SEVEN.
CAPT 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.
CAPT Gillaspie's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (6), Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (4) and various unit and service awards.