Rear Adm. Michael R. Van Poots is a native of Sparta, New Jersey and a 1995 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with both Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics and Master of Business Administration degrees. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Management and Decision Science from Walden University and graduated programs from the Naval Post Graduate School, Naval War College, Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, and Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.

His flag officer assignments include Commander Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Deputy Commander Submarine Forces, Airborne Emergency Action Officer onboard Looking Glass, and Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Global Operations, U.S. Strategic Command.

At sea, he served aboard USS Baltimore (SSN 704) and USS Montpelier (SSN 765) completing deployments to the Caribbean, Pacific, Northern Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans.

Ashore, he served as Chief of Staff Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Inspector General Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Commander Office of Naval Research Reserve Component, Director Submarine Force Reserve Component, Deputy Commander Navy Reserve Region Readiness Mobilization Command Norfolk, Commanding Officer of seven reserve units and is a US Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer Deputy Area Coordinator.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (five awards) and served with crews that earned the Navy Battle ‘E’.

Last Updated: 3 August 2026