Captain John B. (Brad) Skillman Commanding Officer
A native of Muncie, Indiana, and raised in St. Paris, Ohio, Captain Skillman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986.
At sea, he served as the machinery division officer, repair division officer, administrative officer and navigator aboard USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS (CG 27), main propulsion assistant aboard USS BELLLEAU WOOD (LHA 3), and engineer officer aboard USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13). He was the executive officer aboard USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) and commissioning commanding officer of USS NEW ORLEANS (LPD 18). Additionally, he has served as chief staff officer to Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8. In December 2010, he reported to COMPHIBRON FOUR as Deputy Commander with anticipated fleet up to Commodore in May 2012.
Ashore, Skillman served as the lead Ship Maintenance Action Officer for the Maintenance and Modernization Division (N43) and as the Sea Shield and Surface Warfare Program Analyst for the Director of Integration and Warfare Assessment (N70) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He was the Military Assistant and Director of Operations for the Deputy Director, Naval Warfare in Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), and Portfolio Systems Acquisition.
Skillman earned a Masters of Science degree in Operational Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is also a proven financial management specialist.
In May 2012, he assumed command as Commodore of Amphibious Squadron FOUR.
Skillman has received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, the Navy Achievement Medal and various unit awards and decorations.