Captain Jeffrey M. Hughes

Commanding Officer - Professor of Naval Science

 

Captain Hughes was born in La Jolla, CA and is the son of a career Naval Officer.  After attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Captain Hughes attended Nuclear Power School in Orlando Florida and the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho.  Following completion of the Submarine Officer Basic Course, Captain Hughes reported to USS TREPANG (SSN 674) in June 1984.  During his tour, he served as Sonar Officer, Main Propulsion Assistant, and Weapons Officer and made deployments to the Arctic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic.  In 1987, he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master of Science degree in Financial Management.

Captain Hughes completed Submarine Officer Advanced Course in December 1989 and reported as Engineer on Submarine NR-1.  While there, he completed a two-year refueling overhaul and one year of operations.  In March 1993, he reported to the staff of Commander Submarine Group Two as the Assistant Tactical Weapons Training and Certification Officer.

In April 1995, Captain Hughes reported as Executive Officer on USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760).  Captain Hughes then assumed duties as Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy in March 1997 followed by duties as Senior Military Assistant for Strategy and Threat Reduction.

Captain Hughes completed Commanding Officer tours on USS WYOMING (SSBN 742) (BLUE) conducting four strategic deterrent patrols; the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, New York, qualifying over 4200 nuclear operators; and USS EMORY S LAND (AS 39) starting in La Maddalena, Italy and completing a homeport change to Bremerton, WA.  Additionally, he completed a tour on the OPNAV Staff as Director of Platforms, Manpower Policy and Budget for the Submarine Force.  Captain Hughes assumed command of the NROTC Unit at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in August, 2010.

Captain Hughes is a graduate of the Joint and Command Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College and has been designated as a Joint Service Officer.

Captain Hughes is authorized to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal, and numerous other personal medals and ribbons.

LtCol Eric R. Larson

Executive Officer - Marine Officer Instructor

Lieutenant Colonel Eric R. Larson graduated from Eastern Michigan University in April 1993 with bachelor degrees in Political Science and History and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps through the University of Michigan NROTC Program.

Lieutenant Larson served his first fleet tour as a Platoon Commander and Executive Officer of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 6th Marines from March 1994 to June 1996. From June 1996 to March 1998, Captain Larson was assigned as the Guard Officer and subsequently Officer in Charge of the Marine Corps Security Force Detachment, Souda Bay, Greece. Upon completion of his tour in Greece, he temporarily served as the Assistant Operations Officer and then a Staff Platoon Commander at Officer Candidate School, followed by attendance in 98/99 Amphibious Warfare School Class in Quantico, Virginia. From July 1999 to July 2000, Captain Larson served as the Assistant Operations Officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable, Okinawa, Japan. Returning to Camp Lejeune from July 2000 to July 2002, Captain Larson served consecutively as the Headquarters and Service Company, Fox Company, and Weapons Company Commander for Battalion Landing Team 2/8. Completing his second fleet tour, Major Larson was assigned as the Expeditionary Operations & Exercises Officer for the US Sixth Fleet, Gaeta, Italy where he served until June 2004. From July 2004 to September 2006, he served as the Operations Officer at the School of Infantry, East.  From October 2006 to May 2008, Major Larson served as the Executive Officer, Battalion Landing Team, 3/8.

Lieutenant Colonel Larson currently serves as the Executive officer, Marine Officer Instructor and Associate Professor of Naval Science at the Naval Reserve officer Training Corps Unit, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.

LtCol Larson is a graduate of the Basic Officer Course, Infantry Officer Course, Amphibious Warfare School, Security Supervisor, Summer Mountain Leader, Winter Warfare/MAGTF Planning, and Fire Support Coordinator Courses.  His personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four Gold Stars in lieu of fifth award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award.