USS FORT MCHENRY

Commander Thomas Ulmer was raised in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.  He received his commission in 1996 upon graduation from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Administration of Justice.

His first tour of duty was aboard USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12), serving as the Main Propulsions Officer and Weapons Officer, and deploying to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf. In 1999, he reported as the Navigator and Administrations Officer aboard USS RAMAGE (DDG 61) and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in support of NATO Operations in Kosovo.  

His first shore tour was as the Flight Management Division Officer and Air Navigation Instructor at Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, Naval Aviation Schools Command where he qualified as a Master Training Specialist.

In 2003, he was assigned as Operations Officer aboard USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43), forward deployed in Japan. During this tour, he deployed to Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific and conducted humanitarian assistance operations in Indonesia following the Tsunami. He reported to Amphibious Squadron FOUR as Assistant Operations Officer in 2005. While aboard, he conducted Hurricane Katrina humanitarian relief operations and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Gulf where the IWO JIMA Expeditionary Strike Group conducted Lebanon assisted departure operations during the Lebanon/Israel conflict. 

CDR Ulmer reported as a student to the Naval War College in 2007 and was selected as an Associate Fellow for the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group XXVII. Following the Strategic Studies Group, he completed his Joint Professional Military Education Phase I and earned a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Upon graduation, CDR Ulmer reported to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) Future Operations as a Maritime Security Operations Planner, forward deployed in Manama, Bahrain. In 2010, CDR Ulmer was assigned to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in the Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate as a Strategic War Planner. 

In November 2012, CDR Ulmer assumed the duties as Executive Officer onboard USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43).

CDR Ulmer’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Joint Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit and service awards.