USS GEORGE BANCROFT SSBN 643 ASSOCIATION

Commander Douglass was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Ohio in 1983 and graduated with distinction in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering.

While at the Naval Academy, he was selected for post-graduate studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and earned a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering prior to commencing the naval nuclear power pipeline in February 1989.

He reported to USS JAMES K. POLK (SSBN-645B) in Charleston, South Carolina in June 1990. While onboard POLK, he completed two strategic deterrent patrols from Holy Loch, Scotland, strategic offload, Special Forces operations and shipyard conversion to a SEAL delivery platform. He held various divisions and served as Assistant Engineer prior to his departure. 

In 1993, Commander Douglass reported to Naval Submarine School where he qualified cruise missile instructor. Following reorganization, he served as the Submarine Officer Advanced Course (SOAC) Training Program Manager. While temporarily assigned to Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Twelve, he served as Submarine Liaison Officer to the embarked Joint Task Force Commander onboard USS WASP (LHD-1) executing “Operation Support Democracy” during the Cuban/Haitian exodus and crisis in the summer of 1994.

Commander Douglass relieved as Navigator/Operations Officer onboard USS PITTSBURGH (SSN-720) and served there from 1995-1998 steaming nearly 100,000 nautical miles off of 5 continents. PITTSBURGH conducted several missions of vital interest to the United States in the Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf as well as executing a Battlegroup deployment with USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) in 1996. PITTSBURGH earned the Green “C” for communications excellence in 1996 and a Silver Anchor for Crew Excellence in 1997.

In 1998, Commander Douglass reported to the Director, Submarine Warfare Division (OPNAV-N87), Pentagon, Washington, DC and served as a requirements officer in the Submarine Modernization Branch (N872) for Periscope, Navigation, Radar and ESM issues. 

In 2000, Commander Douglass reported to USS LOUISIANA (SSBN-743G) in Kings Bay, Georgia as Executive Officer and completed three strategic deterrent patrols, Battlegroup operations and the test firing of 4 Trident, D-5 missiles. LOUISIANA won the Squadron 16 Battle Efficiency “E” in 2002 and was an Omaha Trophy, Battenberg Cup and Arleigh Burke competition candidate.

Reporting to the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, London, England in 2002, he served as the Submarine Operations Officer and then Current Operations Officer supporting “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and “Operation Enduring Freedom” from the European Command area of responsibility.

Commander Douglass relieved as Commanding Officer, USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN-706) in June 2005. ALBUQUERQUE conducted deployments to the Arabian Gulf with the IWO JIMA (LHD-7) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) in 2006 and a surge deployment to the Southern Command in 2007 steaming nearly 80,000 nautical miles off of 5 continents. During these deployments, ALBUQUERQUE conducted three missions vital to national security and earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation for her unique accomplishments. ALBUQUERQUE was the #1 submarine in the Atlantic Fleet of over 40 submarine crews in 2006 as the Submarine Force nominee for the prestigious Battenberg Cup. ALBUQUERQUE was the top ship in Submarine Squadron Two in 2006 receiving the Battle Efficiency “E”, the Tactical “T” for tactical excellence in 2005 and 2006 and the Engineering “E” in 2005 for engineering excellence. Commander Douglass was selected for CAPTAIN in 2007 and retired after completion of his tour as Commanding Officer USS ALBUQUERQUE in October 2007. 

Commander Douglass is entitled to wear Gold Submarine Dolphins, the Command at Sea pin, the strategic deterrent patrol pin, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (six awards) and various other personal and unit awards.