About Me

My Personal Biography

Dale is a retired Navy “nuke” submarine Officer. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Technology Management (ITM) from the Naval Postgraduate School. He served as the director of Client-Server, Web, and Application Development for the Naval Postgraduate School for six years and had a varied teaching career: from teaching Electrical Engineering at the Navy Nuclear Power School to teaching graduate classes in databases, decision support systems, networking, and systems analysis & design for the Department of Defense for 15 years.

He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), and a Certified Novell Administrator (CNA).

Military Biography

After completing his Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Math, and German in 1982 at the University of Colorado, Dale entered the Navy Nuclear Power program. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and commenced the nuclear power training pipeline. He reported to Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, for six months, followed by six months at Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, Idaho. There, he received both academic training and practical, hands-on training to run a nuclear reactor. He qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch on the USS ENTERPRISE’s A1W prototype reactor in Idaho Falls.

His follow-on school was at Submarine Officer Basic School in Groton, Connecticut, where he studied submarine warfare tactics. He was transferred to his first submarine, the USS STONEWALL JACKSON (SSBN-634G), in March 1984 in Charleston, South Carolina. There he was assigned the duties of Chemistry/Radiological Controls, Reactor Controls, and Communications Officer.

He completed four strategic patrols, earned his Gold Dolphins for qualification as a submarine officer, and was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. In July 1985, the STONEWALL JACKSON went into Charleston Naval Shipyard for a three-year refueling overhaul. He was the Refueling Officer and Assistant Engineer and was promoted to Lieutenant. For his efforts during the four years onboard the JACKSON he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.

In August 1987 he was transferred to Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida. There he taught Electrical Engineering to the Nuclear Officers and supervised the final comprehensive examination of all nuclear-trained officers.

His follow-on orders were to a series of schools: first to Submarine Officer Advanced school in Groton, CT, where he studied advanced submarine warfare tactics. Then to Trident Missile school, Strategic Weapons Officer school, and Nuclear Weapons Safety and Security school.

He reported to his second submarine, the USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN-640G), in Charleston, South Carolina in September 1990, where he was assigned as Strategic Weapons Officer and Tactical Action Officer. There he supervised 70 submariners in the security, maintenance, and operation of the tactical and strategic weapons of this Trident missile submarine. He completed four more strategic patrols, qualified for command of submarines, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Battle Efficiency “E” ribbon, SSBN of the Year, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal.

His next assignment in February 1993 was to the submarine support ship USS HUNLEY (AS-31) in Norfolk, Virginia, as the Radiological Controls Officer, where he supervised the repair and maintenance of 15 submarines assigned to Submarine Squadrons SIX and EIGHT and Submarine Group TWO. During this time he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Navy Commendation Medal.

In July 1994 he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and received his Masters of Science in Information Technology Management in October 1996. He was asked by the Superintendent to stand-up the Applications Development Group at the Postgraduate School, and has served as the director of Client-Server and Web applications group, was the School’s resident database expert, and served a graduate school faculty member in the Information Systems Academic Group.

Upon his retirement from the US Navy, Dale was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal for 20 years of an exemplary military career.

Dale and his wife have a daughter, three sons, and six grandchildren, and reside in the People’s Republic of Moscow (Idaho).

Right-Mind