Executive Officer
CDR Gardner
United States Navy
Executive Officer, Naval ROTC Unit Norwich University
Northfield, Vermont
A Distinguished Naval Graduate of the Aviation Officer Candidate School with honors in academics, physical training and military bearing, Commander Gardner earned a regular commission as an Ensign in July 1984. He earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officer in July 1985 after earning distinction as the Honor Man of his graduating class in Training Squadron 10 (VT-10) and placement on the Commodore's List of Distinguished Graduates for academic and flight performance at VT-10 and VT-86.
Commander Gardner reported to Attack Squadron 128 (VA-128) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA, in September 1985 where he received initial training as a Bombardier Navigator in the A-6E Intruder. He was selected as the VA-128 student bomber of the month for July 1986. Commander Gardner joined the VA-145 Swordsmen at sea in USS RANGER (CV-61) where he served as Schedules Officer, AT/AQ and AME/PR Branch Officer and NATOPS Instructor. During his tour, the squadron completed a RIMPAC, two surge deployments to the Korean Peninsula and an extended deployment to the North Arabian Sea in support of Operation EARNEST WILL. He placed second in the Night RBS event at the 1988 Intruder Derby helping VA-145 earn honors as the top West Coast Intruder squadron for the year.
In December 1989, Commander Gardner reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he completed the Weapons and Systems Engineering curriculum and was awarded a Masters of Science in Engineering Sciences (Electrical Engineering).
After a series of intermediate training courses, Commander Gardner joined USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) in the Persian Gulf in July 1991 as the Assistant Strike Operations Officer, making two deployments to the region in support of Operations DESERT STORM and SOUTHERN WATCH.
In September 1993, Commander Gardner was selected to teach at the U.S. Naval Academy in the Systems Engineering Department. As the course coordinator for ES 410 Linear Control Systems, he designed several lab projects for use by Midshipmen engineering students to demonstrate lessons learned in the classroom. Commander Gardner was the 1995 Engineering and Weapons Division nominee for the William P. Clements award for excellence in education.
Back again at NAS Whidbey Island in January 1996, Commander Gardner joined Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), where he received initial training as an Electronics Countermeasures Officer in the EA-6B Prowler. He joined the VAQ-133 Wizards in November, 1997, where he served as the Administrative Officer, Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer. The squadron deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH.
Selected to serve on the Joint Staff, Commander Gardner reported to Operations Team Two in the National Military Command Center. During his tour he qualified as Senior Emergency Actions Officer, Senior Operations Officer, Surveillance Officer, Senior SIOP Advisor and ultimately assumed responsibilities as Assistant Deputy Director for Operations. OT-2 was on duty in the NMCC during 9/11 and worked closely with the acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense in providing for the defense of the nation.
In July 2002, Commander Gardner received orders to USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) as the Combat Direction Center Officer where he led a team of 12 officers, five Chief Petty Officers and 120 sailors through an accelerated, prototype 12-week inter-deployment training cycle and an early, extended deployment to the Western Pacific. Commander Gardner has been ordered to report to Norwich University in August 2004 as the Executive Officer of the NROTC Unit.
Commander Gardner's awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (strike/flight award), two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and various unit awards and citations.
Questions or comments should be directed to the NROTC Recruiting Officer at nrotc@norwich.edu or 1.802.485.2192
