Cmdr. George Perez
Cmdr. George Perez, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1986. Upon completion of training as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate, he was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program (Nuclear Option). Attending the University of Texas, Perez earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in August,1991.
Perez’s first sea assignment was onboard USS HELENA (SSN 725) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from August 1993 to November 1996, where he served in a variety of division officer billets including Damage Control Assistant and Quality Assurance Officer. While onboard, he completed two deployments to both the Western Pacific and the Arabian Gulf.
His follow-on assignment was as Naval Science Instructor at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida where he served from December 1996 to December 1999. During this tour he earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.
In May 2000, Perez reported as the Combat Systems Officer onboard USS MONTPELIER (SSN 765) in Norfolk, Virginia. During his time onboard, he completed two deployments, including operations off South America during UNITAS 2000 and in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In July 2003, Perez reported for duty as a Combat Evaluator for the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team for the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In October 2005, Perez reported as Executive Officer onboard USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740)(BLUE) homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia, where he served for two years completing three strategic deterrent patrols and earning two Battle ‘E’ Awards.
In December 2007, Perez took command of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Nuristan Province, in eastern Afghanistan where he served with both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following this combat tour, Perez served as the Current Operations Officer, Navy Region Southeast, in Jacksonville, FL from February 2009 to March 2010 before entering the Submarine Command pipeline.
Perez is entitled to wear the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various unit and service awards.