Capt John Garstka Email & Phone Number

Pentagon Washington, D.C.

Executive Assistant and principle advisor to the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy (OPNAV N2N6E), Naval Deputy to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare. Supervises over 35 military and civilian Branch Heads and special assistants, as the resource sponsor responsible for policy, resourcing, and requirements management at the national strategic level across the N2N6E portfolio. Leads the operational and strategic N2N6E Program Objective Memorandum (POM) process, ensuing the highest priority programs are clearly articulated for a $2B Total Obligation Authority (TOA) portfolio across the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), encompassing all Oceanographic and Navigation programs and future capability for the Naval Oceanography Enterprise.Coordinates with the offices of the Secretary of the Navy, Navy/Marine Corps Staffs, Joint Staff, Office of Legislative Affairs, Interagency, and the Office of Naval Research to include various government agencies and labs (FFRDC/UARC) as required to manage program requirements and resourcing.

Stennis Space Center Ms

Led over 212 military and civilian personnel in major command, with a $8.5 million annual budget, across two subordinate direct report commands, one reserve command, and 14 globally dispersed detachments and components in every Numbered Fleet Area of Responsibility. Directed the execution of missions in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Mine Warfare (MIW), Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW), and Naval Special Warfare (NSW) across multi-domains and levels of classification. Furthered the objectives of the Naval Oceanography Enterprise to characterize the battlespace environment for decision advantage by providing capability via reachback and direct support to U.S. Navy forces afloat and ashore.

Stennis Space Center, Ms

As Maritime Operations Center Director, directed Naval Oceanography Operations for over 2,500 military and civilian personnel enabling and optimizing the warfare commander’s options by delivering timely and accurate understanding of the battlespace from the ocean bottom to space. As a U.S. Navy Captain, frequently represented Flag Office Operational Commander in day-to-day decision making and coordination of activities, as well as developed and implemented policies and guidance.Provided leadership and management for two Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (N3) and Plans & Policy (N5), encompassing 10 civilian, 15 military personnel and two contractors in operating and executing a Maritime Operations Command Center, serving as the Operational Commander’s primary method to command and control forces while facilitating the decision cycle process.Led at the executive level to ensure success of the Naval Oceanography Enterprise by fostering innovative operations, technical expertise, and fiscal stewardship to optimize limited resources and manpower in order to accomplish mission requirements.Utilized expert knowledge, resourcefulness, and seasoned judgment in making managerial decisions and generating action, through senior leadership, solving internal operational problems and facilitating change

Pentagon Washington, D.C.

Principal Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Information Warfare on technical and acquisition programmatic issues. Provided acquisition oversight and guidance for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I), Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), Meteorology & Oceanography (METOC), Precision, Navigation, & Timing (PNT) defense programs to ensure program compliance with appropriate laws and regulations. Led or facilitated multiple integrated product team meetings recommending best practice alternatives related to Streamlined Defense Acquisition processes and identifying efficiencies to reduce program cost and expedite capability delivery. Coordinated with the offices of the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Navy/Marine Corps Staffs, Joint Staff, Congress, the test community, the user community, and various government agencies and labs (FFRDC/UARC) as required to manage program risks and maintain programs within cost-schedule-performance parameters.

Pentagon Washington, D.C.

Served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operation for Information Warfare (OPNAV N2N6) as a trusted advisor providing guidance to a staff of over 600 military personnel, government civilians, and contractors charged with delivering operational intelligence to the Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the Navy. Administrative oversight of workforce responsible for managing Navy's Command and Control, Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Networks, Communications, Space, Electronic Warfare, Oceanography, and Maritime Domain Awareness programs and resources totaling $60B across the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) and encompassing 200 information-related programs. Applying extensive knowledge and focused attention to detail ensured cross-coordination and organizational process associated with N2N6 Programs of Record (POR) delivered information warfare capabilities to the fleet. Ensured flag officer and senior executive preparation on all Information Warfare Community (IWC) programs including detailed technical information, programmatics. and briefs to Navy and Department of Defense leadership for high interest decision making forums, congressional, and international engagements.

Stennis Space Center Ms

Led a command of 65 personnel, with a $1.68M annual budget, and $10M boat equipment inventory to completion of 18 hydrographic surveys that directly enabled update of navigation charts for safe navigation and littoral access in locations worldwide for Fleet ships and amphibious craft. Worked closely with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, NOAA National Ocean Service, foreign hydrographic offices, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to plan and conduct military and civil navigation and charting requirements. Coordinated with various Federal agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), and operations managers to analyze changed seafloor conditions after major tropical cyclone, earthquake and tsunami events, making recommendations on the need for emergency clearance surveys in support of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations.

Stennis Space Center Ms

Provides leadership and management to 5 departments with 65 military and civilian personnel in all aspects of Military Hydrographic Surveying with an overall $1.68M budget. Responsible for the coordination of all departments; morale, welfare, discipline, assignment of personnel and records, preparation of instructions and orders, supervises all education and training, administration and command correspondence. As the second in command, is ready to assume command in the event the Commanding Officer is unable.

Certifications and Assessments Officer managed support readiness certifications and assessments for all Naval Meteorology and Oceanography activities, sea and shore-based assets and personnel employed world-wide. Established a Certification and Assessment Program with two associated Type Commander policy instructions which synchronized certification requirements for all echelons of the organization to ensure they are aligned to support Naval Component Commanders.

Okinawa, Japan

Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet/Commander Task Force 76/Expeditionary Stike Group 7 Staff Meteorology and Oceanography Officer responsible for providing accurate weather assessments, typhoon avoidance recommendations, and operational mission impacts to all CTF 76 assets afloat and ashore including nine US Navy warships. Provided operational expertise and oversight to 10 personnel involved in over 40 named joint and coalition operations and exercises throughout the Western Pacific.Acted as the CTF 76 Operations Officer afloat in response to the Japanese earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis disaster relief efforts.

Monterey, California, United States

Managed the execution and completion of critical computing functions, including numerical weather models and data delivery on a 24/7, $120M high performance computer suite. Supervised a staff of nine military and civilian personnel in the coordination of support packages for combat operations, exercises, and crisis/contingency support.

San Diego, California, United States

Combat Information Center Officer onboard USS Duluth in wartime missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Responsible for the tactical proficiency and execution of combat support missions in the multi-threat environment of the Northern Arabian Gulf. Supervised 20 Operations Specialists in directing US Marine Corps amphibious force landing operations as well as command and control support for Naval Special Warfare / US Coast Guard Port Security takedowns and defense of forward locations in Iraq waters.

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Auxiliary and Electrical Division Officer in charge of five Electricians and eleven Enginemen in the successful operation and maintenance of all auxiliary and electrical equipment onboard USS Anzio. Responsible for all aspects of Engineering Management Programs to include electrical safety, hearing conservation, and heat stress. As the command Legal Officer was responsible for the basic administration of military justice, unit investigations, and legal assistance.

Master Of Arts - Ma, National Security And Strategic Studies - Advanced Strategist Program

Activities and Societies: Performed operations research and strategic analysis on, “Reevaluating the Arctic Security Environment.

Master Of Science - Ms, Meteorology And Physical Oceanography

Activities and Societies: Thesis: “Optimizing U.S. Navy Mine Warfare and Department of Homeland Security Maritime Security Requirements.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Oceanography