Rear Admiral Michael R. Van Poots is a native of Sparta, NJ.  He is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Physics, a Master of Business Administration Degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Applied Management and Decision Science from Walden University and a graduate of various programs from the Navy Post Graduate School, Naval War College, Joint Forces Staff College, and National Defense University. He received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Troy, NY, in 1995. He is a Level II Joint Qualified Officer. His doctoral dissertation research was conducted on Knowledge Management in Lean Manufacturing implementation.

 

At sea, his shipboard tours include USS BALTIMORE (SSN 704) and USS MONTPELIER (SSN 765) completing deployments to the Pacific, Northern Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

 

Ashore, his staff tours include various submarine and operational related units including Commander Submarine Squadron Six Det. 504, Commander Submarine Group Ten Force Protection Det. 2, US Fleet Forces Maritime Operations Center Det. Greensboro, Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3N5) at the Pentagon Navy Command Center and he is designated a US Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer (BGO) Deputy Area Coordinator.

 

His command tours include Recruiting Support Unit Det. 428, Naval Security Force Naval Support Activity Naples Det. C, Naval Security Force Sugar Grove, Undersea Warfare Operations Det. N, Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Det. 104, Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Det. 105, and Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Headquarters Det. 100.

 

His post command tours include Commander Office of Naval Research Reserve Component (ONR RC), Director Submarine Force Reserve Component (SRFC) and Deputy Commander Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command (REDCOM) Norfolk.

 

His mobilization tours include Inspector General, Joint Task Force - Guantanamo Bay Cuba (JTF-GTMO) during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) during Operation AQEA AL QAEDA EAST AFRICA EXORD.

 

His flag officer tours include Deputy Commander Submarine Force Atlantic, Deputy Commander Submarine Force Pacific, Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO) at U.S. Strategic Command for Operation LOOKING GLASS, and in August 2024 he assumed his current duties as Commander Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Groton, CT.

 

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He has served with crews that have earned the Navy Battle Efficiency ‘E’ award, and various service, expeditionary, unit and campaign awards.