CAPT David M. Wright, Jr. USN

Commanding Officer

Professor of Naval Science

Captain Wright graduated from Parkview High School in Lilburn, GA in 1985. After completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aero/Astro Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CAPT Wright was commissioned in June 1989. 

After completing flight training, CAPT Wright reported to the Batmen of VP-24 where he completed deployments to Sigonella, Sicily and Keflavik, Iceland. After decommissioning the Batmen in April 1995, CAPT Wright transferred to VP-30 where he served as an Instructor NFO, Maintenance Admin/Training Officer, and NFO Instructor Under Training Standardization Officer. CAPT Wright was then selected as Flag Secretary for Commander, Carrier Group FOUR in Norfolk, VA where he completed battle group inter-deployment training cycle exercises for five deploying battlegroups from January 1998 - January 2000.

CAPT Wright reported to Special Projects Patrol Squadron ONE in April 2000 and served as the Tactics Department Head and Maintenance Officer. He deployed nine times in support of four Theater Combatant Commanders including three months of combat operations in support of OPERATION Enduring Freedom.

CAPT Wright served as Current Operations Officer and Operations Officer for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing FIVE from July 2002 to July 2005.  He attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI from August 2005 until August 2006 and was awarded a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He served as Chief Staff Officer for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TWO in Kaneohe Bay, HI before reporting as Executive Officer, VP-47 in April 2007 and assuming command in May 2008 while deployed to Ali Airbase, Iraq.

CAPT Wright served on the Joint Staff as the Capabilities Assessment Division Chief for Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization from May 2009 until May 2012.  CAPT Wright reported to Misawa, Japan in July 2012 and served as Deputy Commander, Task Force 72, until July 2015, when he assumed command of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit for Rutgers and Princeton.