Cmdr. Brian Rhoades, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1998.  He worked in R&D for the automotive industry in Auburn Hills, Michigan while completing a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University prior to earning his commission in 2002 through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida.
 
At sea, Rhoades conducted his division officer tour aboard USS Seawolf (SSN 21), homeported in Groton, Connecticut.  During this tour he completed a first-in-class Western Pacific deployment, which included an Arctic and Panama Canal transit and the crew receiving the Submarine Squadron 4 Battle Efficiency Award. He served as the navigation/operations officer aboard USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740)(BLUE), based in Kings Bay, Georgia; he completed five strategic deterrent patrols, and the submarine earned the U.S. Strategic Command Omaha Trophy for the nation’s top strategic asset, Submarine Squadron 20 Battle Efficiency, Strategic ‘S’, and Communication ‘C’ awards.  As executive officer of USS Washington (SSN 787), he was part of the leadership team that completed the new construction in Newport News, Virginia, with subsequent delivery to the U.S. Navy. 
 
His shore tours include service as a nuclear training officer for Navy Recruiting Command, Millington, Tennessee; as the executive officer and engineer of the Nuclear Power Training Unit Moored Training Ship (MTS 635), Charleston, South Carolina; on the staffs of Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic and U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), both located in Norfolk, Virginia; and as deputy commander, Submarine Squadron 21, Manama, Bahrain.  Rhoades’ last assignment was as senior anti-terrorism assessor for USFFC.
 
Rhoades reported as commanding officer, Submarine Learning Facility Norfolk in December 2021.
 
Rhoades’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).  He earned the Armed Forces Communications Excellence Award during the Submarine Officer Advanced Course.

Last Updated: 3 December 2021