Cmdr. Brian R. Purvis, a native of Pensacola, Florida, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April 1994. After graduating from boot camp, he completed Submarine Sonar Technician “A” School at Naval Submarine School.  Later in his career, he received his commission through the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program in 2006, serving first in submarine electronics and then submarine ordnance. 

His enlisted assignments included USS Narwhal (SSN 671), deploying to South America and the Mediterranean Sea, and USS Charlotte (SSN 766), deploying to the Eastern and Western Pacific regions. As a tactical watch officer at the Joint Maritime Facility, St. Mawgan, United Kingdom, he completed missions aboard HMS Argyll (F231) and joint missions with USNS Loyal (T-AGOS-22).  He also served at the Office of Naval Intelligence in the scientific and technical intelligence directorate and with Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force as an operational test director for submarine platforms, sensors, weapons, and deployable vehicles programs.
 
His officer sea tours include service as operations-deck division officer, small boats officer, command security manager, and training officer aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), where he was part of a homeport shift to Diego Garcia and subsequent Indian Ocean deployment; and as assistant weapons officer aboard USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) (BLUE).
 
Ashore as an officer, he served with Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific in several weapons processing positions; Submarine Squadron 12 as weapons officer supporting Los Angeles and Virginia-class submarines; and Navy Personnel Command as submarine LDO and chief warrant officer assignments officer.
 
He reported as executive officer, TRIDENT Training Facility Bangor in August 2021.
 
Purvis’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), as well as various other campaign and service awards.

Last Updated: 18 October 2023