Rear Admiral David J. Gale

Rear Adm. Gale is a native of Lebanon, N.Y., and joined the Navy in 1976. After service aboard USS Dupont (DD 941) he was selected for the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training and was commissioned in May 1983.

Gale’s sea assignments include auxiliaries officer in the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Rentz (FFG 46), engineer officer in the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Chosin (CG 65), and executive officer on USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51). He was the first commanding officer of the USS Mason (DDG 87).

Ashore, he served on the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet Propulsion Examining Board, in the Aegis Program Office as the DDG 51 fleet introduction officer and surface combatant readiness officer, and as the executive assistant to the Program Executive Officer for Surface Combatants/Aegis Program. He was the Major Program manager for Fleet Introduction and Surface Combatant Lifetime Support (400F) in the Program Executive Office for Ships; the military assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and as the executive director and, later, as deputy commander Surface Warfare SEA21.

Gale is currently assigned as commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Command.

His education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of New Mexico, a master’s degree in National Resources Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and a graduate of the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

He has been awarded numerous personal decorations including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.