Cmdr. Thomas Pavlik

Commanding Officer, USS Tortuga (LSD 46)

29 March 2023

Cmdr. Thomas “Tucker” Pavlik enlisted in the Navy as a Radioman in 1996, was accepted into the Seaman to Admiral Program, and graduated from Old Dominion University in 2006 with a degree in Business/Information Technology. He has a graduate degree in Information Systems Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Cmdr. Pavlik has served at sea as Electronic Warfare Officer and Force Protection Officer onboard USS ASHLAND (LSD 48), Damage Control Assistant onboard USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56), Combat Systems Officer onboard USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24), and Officer in Charge at COASTAL RIVERINE SQUADRON FOUR (CRS-4).

Ashore, he has served at United States Fleet Forces Command in Future Plans directorate; Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic, in the Warfighting Requirements directorate, and at Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, Amphibious Division, as a Warfighting Tactics Instructor.

His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (four awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.