Tactical Training Group, Atlantic

             Captain Sam Howard was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey and grew up in Mount Holly, graduating from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in 1980. He was commissioned an ensign in 1984 through the NROTC Scholarship program at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The Citadel, a Master of Science degree in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

             Captain Howard began his career in Surface Warfare in the destroyer USS O’BANNON (DD 987), billeted as Communications Officer then Electrical Officer. Subsequent sea assignments include the destroyer USS CONOLLY (DD 979) as Chief Engineer; the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWENTY SIX as Operations Officer; the staff of Commander, United States SECOND FLEET as Future Operations Officer then Deputy Fleet Operations Officer.  He also served briefly aboard USS CONSTITUTION, standing watch as Junior Officer of the Deck when she sailed unaided in 1997 for the first time in 116 years. Captain Howard was the commissioning Commanding Officer of the minehunter, USS RAVEN (MHC 61). He later commanded the dock landing ship USS ASHLAND (LSD 48), deploying to the Arabian Gulf in early 2003 as part of Amphibious Task Force East.  He served overseas as Chief of Staff to Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN / Amphibious Force United States SEVENTH FLEET homeported in Okinawa, Japan. His most recent sea assignment was as Commanding Officer of the amphibious assault aircraft carrier USS BATAAN (LHD 5) leading the ship in a variety of deployed missions, including Humanitarian Relief in Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake.  USS BATAAN earned the “BATTLE E” for calendar year 2009 under his command.

            Captain Howard’s previous shore assignments include Naval Education and Training Center Newport, Rhode Island, (now Naval Station Newport) as Assistant Plans and Operations Officer and Port Services Officer; Command Department staff of Surface Warfare Officers School Command Newport, Rhode Island, serving as senior Mine Warfare instructor and Mariner Skills curriculum lead; and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Military Staff Assistant for Maritime Warfare Programs for Director, Operational Test and Evaluation.  He reported to U.S. Fleet Forces Command in April 2010, serving first as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff for 13 months and then as interim Executive Assistant for both the Deputy Commander for Fleet Management and Deputy Commander for Fleet and Joint Operations. 

           Captain Howard is authorized to wear the sea service deployment ribbon with silver star along with numerous campaign and other awards earned by units and teams of which he has been a member or leader.  His contributions have been recognized by the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards).