Capt. Paul Burkhart
Commanding Officer, USS Bataan (LHD 5)
07 December 2022
Captain Paul Burkhart, a native of North Chili, New York, enlisted in the Navy in August 1984 and entered Recruit Training in July 1985.
Upon completion of Recruit Training and Electronic Technician “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois his enlisted assignments included Special Communications Division NSGA, Northwest, Chesapeake, Virginia from 1986 to 1988, USS BELKNAP (CG 26), homeport in Gaeta, Italy, 1988 to 1990, USS BRISCOE (DD 977), 1990 to 1992, and Fleet Training Center Norfolk, Virginia, 1992 to 1996 as an Electronics Technician “C” School instructor. During this tour he was selected to the Enlisted Commissioning Program; attended Norfolk State University, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering Technology and was commissioned as an Ensign in May 1998.
Captain Burkhart’s officer sea duty assignments include Damage Control Assistant in USS ARTHUR W RADFORD (DD 968), 1998 to 2000, Navigator in USS HAWES (FFG 53), 2000 to 2002, Combat Systems Officer in USS STUMP (DD 978), 2003 to 2004, Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Officer in Commander Destroyer Squadron 22, 2004 to 2006, Navigator in USS WASP (LHD 1), 2008 to 2009, and Damage Control Assistant in USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), 2011 to 2013. Commanding Officer of LCS CREW 109, PCU LITTLE ROCK (LCS 9), 2015 to 2017. Most recently, Operations Officer in Commander, Carrier Strike Group TEN (CSG 10), 2019 to 2021.
Captain Burkhart’s shore assignments include Force Combat Systems Officer for Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, 2006 to 2007; billet was shifted to stand up Commander, LHD Class Squadron, as C5I Officer, 2007 to 2008, Force C5I Requirements Officer in Naval Expeditionary Combat Command, 2009 to 2011 and OPNAV N96 LCS Branch Head serving as the Resource Sponsor for the LCS Program, 2017 to 2019.
Captain Burkhart reported to USS BATAAN (LHD 5) as Executive Officer in Aug 2021 and assumed the role of the ship’s Commanding Officer on Dec. 2, 2022.
Captain Burkhart’s personal awards include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (nine awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and Good Conduct Medal (three awards).