Captain Ryan Tillotson
Deputy Commodore
CAPT Tillotson was born in Pocatello, Idaho and recieved his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Washington. After attending the Surface Warfare Officers School Division Officer course in San Diego, California, he served in USS DUBUQUE (LPD 8) as Ordnance Officer, Administrative Officer and Navigator, then home ported in Sasebo, Japan. Following his tour in USS DUBUQUE, CAPT Tillotson attended the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, earning a Master's of Science in Operations Analysis. Upon graduation from NPS he served as Combat Systems Officer in USS JOHN A. MOORE (FFG 19), and C4I Officer in USS PELELIU (LHA 5) both home ported in San Diego, California. Other sea duty assignments include serving as Executive Officer in USS DEWERT (FFG 45) and USS O'BANNON (DDG 987) in Mayport, Florida. CAPT Tillotson commanded USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) also home ported in Mayport, FL. During his command tour the ship deployed to the Second, Fourth, Sixth, Fifth, and Seventh Fleets.
CAPT Tillotson's shore duty assignments include the Ballistic Missile Defense Division Chief for Commander, United States Northern Command within the Directorate of Operations (USNORTHCOM J31). He also served in the Surface Warfare Directorate of the Chief of Naval Operations Staff (N96), where he was responsible for various current and advanced Land Attack Warfare and Naval Surface Fires Support Programs. He was the Lieutenant Commander Detailer and Deputy Director for Surface Warfare Officer Distribution (PERS 41), Naval Personnel Command, Millington, Tennesee. He is also a graduate of the National War College with a Master's of Science Degree in National Security Strategy. Most recently CAPT Tillotson served as the Future Operations Director on the staff of United States Naval Forces Central Command in Manama Bahrain.
CAPT Tillotson has earned the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals as well as several personal, unit, and campaign awards. He is married and has one daughter. He has been the Deputy Commodore of Destroyer Squadron FOURTEEN since October 2012.