Rear Admiral Van Buskirk, a native of Petaluma, Calif., graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1979. His tours at sea included assignments aboard USS Seawolf (SSN 575), USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716), USS Tunny (SSN 682), USS Georgia (SSBN 729) Gold, and culminated in command of the USS Pasadena (SSN 752), and as commander, Submarine Development Squadron 12. While ashore, Van Buskirk received his Master’s degree at the Naval Postgraduate School and served tours in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs as well as on the staffs of the Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, Bureau of Naval Personnel, and Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

Van Buskirk was selected for flag officer in 2004. As a flag officer he has served as commander, Task Force Total Force, overseeing the initial development of the Navy’s Human Capital Strategy. Van Buskirk served in Iraq as deputy to the deputy chief of staff Strategic Effects and was the senior naval officer on the Multi-National Force-Iraq staff. Operationally he served at sea as the commander, Carrier Strike Group 9, the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group deploying to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility in direct support of combat operations for both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Most recently he served as assistant deputy, Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans & Strategy (N3/N5B). Van Buskirk assumed duties as deputy and chief of staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet in July 2009.

He is entitled to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Bronze Star, and other personal, unit, and service awards.