Rear Admiral 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, and Airborne Emergency Action Officer onboard Looking Glass.

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 and Mobilization Command Norfolk, Commanding Officer of seven reserve units including Recruiting Support Unit, Naval Security Force Naval Support Activity Naples, Naval Security Force Sugar Grove, Undersea Warfare Operations, and three Office of Naval Research Science Technology units. He served in staff assignments at Submarine Squadron Six, Submarine Group Ten Force Protection, US Fleet Forces Maritime Operations Center, the Pentagon Navy Command Center, Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group, 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 he served with crews that earned the Navy Battle ‘E’ award.

Last Updated: 30 March 2026