EM ALUM TO COMMAND NUCLEAR SUBMARINE
A engineering management alumnus has been named commander of the North Dakota, a new Virginia class, fast attack nuclear submarine, due to be launched in 2014.
U.S. Navy Commander Douglas Gordon, a 2005 ODU graduate, is stationed in Groton, Conn., where the submarine is being constructed at the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard.
"This is the first ship I've had a chance to command and I'm very excited about being named to a position I've worked for all my career," Gordon said. "This is what it's all about. I'm here to make sure we build the best ship we can and provide the best crew so we can go out and do our job."
The $1.8 billion North Dakota will be 377 feet long, will travel at a speed of more than 25 knots (29 mph) and will carry 135 crew members. It will be capable of dives to 800 feet. The North Dakota will be the 11th Virginia class submarine built and will feature a new design rocket launch system and improved sonar equipment.
"Between my junior and senior years, I talked with a Navy recruiter and decided, based on the nuclear power program we talked about, to enlist upon graduation in 1986," he said.
After completing boot camp, he attended an electrician's mate school. He applied for an NROTC scholarship and chose to attend Auburn University, where he received his B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1991. Following graduation, he completed nuclear power training and the submarine officer basic course prior to being assigned to USS Albany, from January 1993 to December 1995.
From December 1995 to March 1998 he served on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force,
U.S. Pacific Fleet, as a command center watch officer and later as the fleet intelligence support officer. He later was the engineer officer on the USS Louisiana from October 1998 to October 2001, where he completed five strategic deterrent patrols. He reported in October 2001 to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Nuclear Propulsion Examination Board, where he served as a junior board member on the inspection team. He was assigned as executive officer on USS Sante Fe from February 2004 to December 2005, completing one Western Pacific deployment. He earned a master's degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University prior to his departure. Following his tour, he was assigned to Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Twelve as deputy commander for readiness from January 2006 to July 2006.
Gordon graduated from the Naval War College in June 2007, earning a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies, as well as completing Joint Professional Military Education Phase II. He served as the deputy branch head for capability assessments and Lean Six Sigma on the OPNAV staff from July, 2007, to December 2008. He then served as deputy commander for readiness on the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen in Guam until July 2011.
Gordon is entitled to wear the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, the Navy Achievement Medal with two gold stars and various other unit awards.