Capt. Joseph K. Haywood, USN
Commander,
Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center
CAPT Joseph “Karl” Haywood is a native of Pittsgrove, NJ. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1999 receiving his commission and Bachelor of Science in History. He also holds a Master of Science in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Following commissioning he served onboard the USS DENVER (LPD-9) prior to his lateral transfer to the Special Operations community. In 2002 CAPT Haywood attended pipeline training at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, Florida and NAVSCOLEOD for basic EOD training.
In September 2003 he graduated NAVSCOLEOD as the honor graduate of class 03-20N and reported to Explosive Ordnance Mobile Unit THREE (EODMU THREE) where he deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) as a member of Naval Special Warfare Squadron ONE. From 2006 through 2008 he served as the Training Officer at the Naval Diving Salvage Training Center in Panama City, FL. From 2010 through 2012 he served as the Operations Officer for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE (EODGRU ONE), subsequently making his third deployment to Iraq in support of Operation NEW DAWN as the Operations Officer for Joint Task Force TROY. From 2012 through March 2014 he served as the Executive Officer of EODMU THREE. From March 2014 to April 2016 he was assigned as the Chief Staff Officer of EODGRU ONE. From June 2016 through June 2018 he served as the Commanding Officer of EODMU ELEVEN and deployed to Bahrain as CTG 56.1. From August 2018 to January 2021 he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Policy) as the Chief of Humanitarian Mine Action and EOD under the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. From February 2021 through April 2023 he served as the Commander of Task Force FIVE SIX/Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces Central. CAPT Haywood most recently served as the Commander of EODGRU TWO.
CAPT Haywood is qualified as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, Salvage Diving Officer and Naval Parachutist. He is authorized to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (2), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal (5), the Navy Achievement Medal (2), the Combat Action Ribbon and several other unit, campaign and service awards.