Scott R. Van Buskirk

Vice Admiral Van Buskirk at USS George Washington.

A native of Petaluma, California, Van Buskirk graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1979. He assumed duties as the Navy's 56th Chief of Naval Personnel on Oct. 11, 2011. His responsibilities include overseeing the United States Navy Recruiting Command, Navy Personnel Command, and Naval Education and Training Command.[3]

Van Buskirk received a master's degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and served tours in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs; Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet; Bureau of Naval Personnel; and, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet.[3]

At sea, he served on board USS Seawolf (SSN-575), USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716), USS Tunny (SSN-682), and USS Georgia (SSBN-729) Gold Crew, and commanded the USS Pasadena (SSN-752) and Submarine Development Squadron 12. As a flag officer, he has served as commander, Task Force Total Force; deputy to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Effects (MNF-Iraq); commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine; assistant deputy, Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5B); deputy commander and chief of staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet.[3]

Van Buskirk served as the 47th commander of the United States Seventh Fleet, forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan, in 2010 and 2011. He commanded U.S. naval forces during Operation Tomodachi, providing assistance to Japan following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[4]