Earle NWS Updates
Captain Richard C. Valentine
United States Navy
Captain Valentine, a native of Deland, FL, enlisted in the Navy in November 1971. He began his career as a Navy Diver in 1973 after completing Second Class Diver training at the Naval School of Underwater Swimmers, Key West, FL. Follow on diving training included First Class Diver at the Naval School of Diving and Salvage, Washington D.C.; Saturation Diver at the Naval School of Deep Diving Systems, San Diego, CA; and Diving and Salvage Officer at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, FL.
In 1975, Captain Valentine transitioned to the Navy Reserve where he served until 1980 with Harbor Clearance Unit Two Det 608, Mayport, FL and Harbor Clearance Unit Two Det 708, Miami, FL. He transferred back to active duty status in 1981, was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1986, and received his commission through the Limited Duty Officer program in 1988.
Afloat tours have included USS ORION (AS 18), Charleston, SC; USS PIGEON (ASR 21), San Diego, CA; USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40), Guam; and USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), Norfolk, VA. From 1991-1995 he served as Officer in Charge, Submarine Development Group 1 Det Mare Island Sea Component where he and his elite team of Navy Saturation Divers were responsible for supporting Chief of Naval Operations Special Projects missions.
Tours ashore have included Submarine Development Group 1 Mobile Dive Team, San Diego, CA, Submarine Development Group 1 Det Alameda, CA and Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Silverdale, WA. From 1999-2003 he served as Officer in Charge, Submarine Development Squadron 5 Det Diving, Silverdale, WA. Under his command, Det Diving received the Navy Unit Citation for supporting Chief of Naval Operations Special Projects missions, USS MONITOR salvage operations and Navy Experimental Diving Unit Saturation Dives. He served as Executive Officer, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, NJ from 2006-2008 and Executive Officer, Naval Station Newport, RI from 2008 to 2010. From 2010 to 2013 he served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. SIXTH Fleet, Naples, Italy.
Captain Valentine reported for his current duty assignment as Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station Earle in June 2013.
Personal awards include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He has served on teams that have been awarded four Presidential Unit Citations, four Navy Unit Citations, two Meritorious Unit Citations and seven Battle Efficiency ‘E’ awards. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Southern Illinois University.