DAHLGREN, Va. – Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) recently announced its Domain Senior Civilian of the Year (COY) for 2025. 

Mr. Dorian Acker, director of the Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Trainer (CIAT) at SCSTC Det Middle Atlantic (MIDLANT), was selected for this notable award. 

“I am truly honored by this selection, but it is a win for the whole team,” Acker said. “At the CIAT, we take great pride in preparing warfighters for the full spectrum of operations—from integrated air and missile defense to multi-domain surface and subsurface warfare. Providing our Sailors with the tactical edge they need to maintain maritime superiority is what drives us every day.”

Acker was selected as SCSTC’s Small Site Civilian of the Quarter (COQ) for the third quarter of 2022, Small Site COQ for the second quarter of 2025, and Small Site COY for 2025. He has been part of the SCSTC team for a total of 10 years; serving two three-year tours in uniform and four years as a government civilian. 

“It was a very competitive group of candidates this year and all nominees displayed professionalism and a strong contribution to the SCSTC mission,” said Capt. Mike Dwan, SCSTC’s commander. “Dorian has demonstrated remarkable oversight and strategic planning by guiding his team through the successful delivery of 120 distinct training events throughout 2025. His efforts involved 2,500 Sailors across 20 different commands, ensuring we maintain a combat-ready force.”

As a retired air defense officer, Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System, and Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4 trainer, Dorian not only manages and operates the CIAT but observes the teaching and qualifications of our Advanced Warfare Training instructors. He provides feedback that is crucial to the development of our warfighters while continuing to work in tandem with the CIAT technical on-site agent to ensure maximum efficiency and availability of the CIAT system.

“The Domain Senior COY award stands as one of the highest honors a SCSTC government civilian can receive,” said Mr. Brian Parker, SCSTC’s executive director. “Dorian has demonstrated exceptional, long-term contributions to our training mission. As the director of the CIAT, he truly has gone above and beyond, showing extraordinary leadership, dedication, and innovation and his unwavering commitment to our Navy and nation.”

Acker orchestrated the highly successful delivery of a Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic mandated Theater Undersea Warfare (TUSW) course for the Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) in the CIAT, preparing the ship for its assignment as the TUSW ready duty ship for the Atlantic Fleet. His collaboration with subject matter experts across various government organizations was instrumental in ensuring seamless classroom instruction and the successful execution of eight anti-submarine scenarios for two watchteams and a Destroyer Squadron staff.

He was also instrumental in the Electronic Warfare certification of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), where he developed and executed integrated training scenarios to resolve complex system issues, ensuring Ross met its certification requirements.

Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Boltz, SCSTC Det MIDLANT’s officer in charge, nominated Acker for this significant recognition.

“Dorian holds the distinguished position of being one of only two subject matter experts in Ballistic Missile Defense at our command, a role that has highlighted his mastery of highly complex defense systems,” Boltz said. “His meticulous attention to detail is also evident in his management of security protocols, where he ensured 100% compliance across all personnel, thereby preventing any mission degradation and upholding the highest standards of operational security. This rigorous approach was also applied to system acceptance testing, where his diligence directly contributed to enhanced system reliability and performance. He is a remarkable asset to not only my team, but also to the SCSTC domain.”

Acker's professionalism extends beyond daily operations. He recently earned the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential and is actively pursuing the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. The PMP is a globally recognized credential that illustrates an individual’s commitment to excellence in project management.

The criteria for SCSTC’s Domain COY award include superior service in support of the domain and its mission, notable contributions to the training and development of Sailors, and demonstrated professionalism in his or her assigned duties.

SCSTC is part of the Naval Education and Training Command, led by Rear Adm. Greg Huffman. SCSTC is a training organization that consists of 15 global learning sites and detachments. Its mission is to provide the U.S. Navy and our allies with highly trained warfighters to maintain, operate, and tactically employ surface combat systems across the spectrum of operations. Annually, SCSTC delivers training to over 31,000 U.S. Navy Sailors as well as 1,100 international Sailors from 27 partner nations.

For more information about SCSTC, visit the command’s website at https://www.netc.navy.mil/SCSTC/ and follow the command’s social media: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SurfaceCombatSystemsTrainingCommand, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/scstc_hq/, and LinkedIn at  https://www.linkedin.com/company/scstc/.