Rear Admiral Michael R. Van Poots is a native of Sparta, NJ.  He is a 1995 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Physics, a Master of Business Administration Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Science from Walden University and graduated various programs from the Navy Post Graduate School, Naval War College, and Joint Forces Staff College. He received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Troy, NY, in 1995.  He is a Level II Joint Qualified officer.

At sea, he served as Division Officer onboard USS BALTIMORE (SSN 704) and USS MONTPELIER (SSN 765) completing both North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean deployments.

Ashore, he performed staff tours in various submarine and operational related units including, Commander Submarine Squadron Six Det. 504, Commander Submarine Group Ten Force Protection Det. 2, US Fleet Forces Maritime Operations Center Det. Greensboro, Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3N5) at the Pentagon Navy Command Center and is designated a US Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer (BGO) Deputy Area Coordinator. His Command tours include Recruiting Support Unit Det. 428, Naval Security Force Naval Support Activity Naples Det. C, Naval Security Force Sugar Grove, Under Sea Warfare Operations Det. N, Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Det. 104, Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Det. 105, and Office of Naval Research Science and Technology Headquarters Det. 100. His post Command assignments include Commander Office of Naval Research Reserve Component (ONR RC), Director Submarine Force Reserve Component (SRFC) and Deputy Commander Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command (REDCOM) Norfolk. His mobilizations include Inspector General, Joint Task Force - Guantanamo Bay Cuba (JTF-GTMO) during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) during Operations AQEA AL QAEDA EAST AFRICA EXORD.

Flag Officer assignments include airborne emergency action officer (AEAO) at U.S. Strategic Command for Operation Looking Glass.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Battle Efficiency ‘E’, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various service, expeditionary, unit and campaign awards.

Last Updated: 6 December 2023