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News | May 5, 2015

Former Pearl Harbor commander selected for captain

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Navy Supply Corps Cdr. Richard Paquette, former commander of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, has been selected for the rank of captain.

Paquette served as commander of the distribution center from April 2011 to May 2014.  During his time with the organization, he worked aggressively to set up a Warfighter Support Office, stood up a Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point, and expedited humanitarian relief efforts for the Philippines under Operation Damayan.

He is currently serving as deputy, Major Weapons Systems for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs under the Naval Air Systems Command Assistant Commander for Contracts in Patuxent River, Md.

Paquette, a native of Huntington Station, N.Y., attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I., in 1989 and was subsequently offered admission to the U.S. Naval Academy.  Graduating with distinction and a Bachelor of Science in History, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy Supply Corps in May 1994. 

Immediately following commissioning, Paquette served as a Health Professions Scholarship recruiter in New York, N.Y.  In October 1994, he reported to the Naval Supply Corps School in Athens, Ga., and after completion of the curriculum he was transferred to the USS FREDERICK (LST 1184) in San Diego, Calif., in May 1995.

Shortly after his arrival, USS FREDERICK changed homeports to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  Upon successful completion of his Assistant Supply Officer tour, Paquette transferred to the USS TUCSON (SSN 770) as the supply officer in 1998.  While serving onboard USS TUCSON, Paquette was qualified to serve as an officer of the deck submerged and surfaced. 

In June 2000, he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and successfully completed a Master of Science in Management (Acquisition and Contracts) graduating in December 2001.  He also achieved qualification as a Certified Professional Contracts manager.  Following postgraduate school, Paquette reported to the Naval Air Systems Command, or NAVAIR, where he served as the contracting officer for the MH-60R Helicopter Program.  While at NAVAIR, Paquette volunteered for two contingency deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

In late 2004, Paquette was selected to the Navy Legislative Fellows program and served one year on the staff of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).  Following this assignment he completed a policy tour at the Pentagon for the Director Navy Staff.  His third operational tour was as the supply officer for Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE in Coronado, Calif.  In August 2008, he reported to Fleet Industrial Supply Center Jacksonville, Fla., as the director of contracts. 

Paquette’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), the Army Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (4 awards) and the Combat Action Ribbon.  He has qualified Seabee Combat Warfare, Surface Warfare and as a Submarine Supply Corps officer.   He is also a member of the Acquisition Professional Community.