COMMANDING OFFICER
CAPTAIN ABIGAIL A. HUTCHINS
CAPT Hutchins is a native of West Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and was commissioned through the ROTC program. She earned a Master of Science degree in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego in 2005.
Her sea assignments include division officer tours in USS Wadsworth (FFG 9) and USS Decatur (DDG 73); department head tours in USS Pinckney (DDG 91) and Destroyer Squadron 23; as both commanding officer and executive officer of USS Dewey (DDG 105); and chief of staff for Carrier Strike Group ONE.
CAPT Hutchins served ashore as a training liaison officer at Afloat Training Group Pacific; liaison to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller (OASN(FM&C)/FMBE); cost of war analyst in the Joint Staff Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate (J-8/PBAD); Director of Current Operations on the staff of Commander, U.S. Third Fleet; and commanding officer of Naval Leadership and Ethics Command San Diego.
She reported as the Commanding Officer for Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in August of 2023.
Executive Officer
COMMANDER JASON M. RICHTER
CDR Jason “Tommy Boy” Richter, a native of Perham, MN enlisted in the U.S. Navy following graduation and reported for recruit training at RTC Great Lakes, IL in July 1994 where he graduated with honors. He reported to Fleet ASW Training Center in San Diego, CA for Sonar Technician A-School and Basic Acoustic Analysis training.
In January 1995, CDR Richter reported to USS BUNKER HILL (CG-52) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan where he served as Sonar Operator, Torpedo load team member and leader, Sonar watch supervisor and earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. In 1998 he reported back to Fleet ASW Training Center in San Diego, CA for MK-116 Fire Control C-School.
In January 1999 he reported to Pre-Commissioning Unit HIGGINS (DDG-76) in Bath, ME. Upon commissioning of USS HIGGINS (DDG-76) he served as Sonar Watch Supervisor, Combat Systems Officer of the Watch, and Junior Officer of the Deck and was promoted to Petty Officer First Class. He was selected for commissioning via the Seaman to Admiral Program in Oct 2000.
CDR Richter reported to the University of San Diego in June 2001. He was selected and promoted to Sonar Technician Chief Petty Officer. In May 2004 he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration commissioned as an Ensign and reported to Pensacola, FL for Naval Flight Training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in Aug 2006 from EIGHTBALLERS of HT-8.
CDR Richter reported to the SEAHAWKS of HSM-41 in Sep 2006 for initial training in the SH-60B. His first fleet squadron assignment was to the BATTLECATS of HSL-43 where he deployed on USS RENTZ (FFG-46), USS STOCKDALE (DDG-106), USS HOWARD (DDG-83) and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76). He served as First Lieutenant, Assistant Training Officer, Detachment Operations Officer, Helicopter Aircraft Commander, Functional Check Flight Pilot and Quality Assurance Officer.
He reported back to the SEAHAWKS of HSM-41 and transitioned to the MH-60R in Jan 2011 where he served as Flight Instructor, Assistant Operations Officer, Scheduling Officer and Student Control Officer.
Assigned to the BLUEHAWKS of HSM-78 in Feb 2014 he deployed on USS CAPE ST GEORGE (CG-71) as the Detachment Maintenance Officer, squadron Quality Assurance Officer and Assistant Operations Officer.
CDR Richter returned to the BATTLECATS of HSM-73 as a Department Head. As Officer in Charge of Detachment ONE, he deployed on USS SAMPSON (DDG-102) conducting law enforcement operations in the Western and Central Pacific fisheries Commission and provided Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in Kaikoura, NZ following the devastating earthquake in Nov 2016. As squadron Maintenance Officer, he deployed on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) in support of supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
He reported to Commander Naval Air Forces in Jun 2018 as Requirements Officer where he programmed and managed annual budgets exceeding $10B for the Naval Aviation Enterprise. He reported to Commander Carrier Strike Group FIFTEEN in Jun 2021 training, mentoring and assessing Carrier Strike Groups, Amphibious Ready Groups and Marine Expeditionary Groups in preparations for deployed operations worldwide. He served as Assistant Training Officer and Assistance Chief of Staff for Training.
CDR Richter reported to NROTC University of Minnesota in July 2023. He has accumulated over 2,600 flight hours and his personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Award (3 awards) and numerous unit, campaign and service awards. His service is made possible through the loving support of his wife Kara and children Anaiah, Michael, and Ryan.
NAVY OFFICER INSTRUCTORS
LIEUTENANT PAUL NAUMANN
SUBMARINE WARFARE | NUCLEAR PROPULSION OFFICER
LT Naumann grew up in Lakeville, MN. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY where he received a BS in Nuclear Engineering and commissioned through the NROTC program.
He attended Nuclear Power School and Prototype in Charleston, SC, and Submarine Officer Basic School (SOBC) in Groton, CT.
Following graduation from SOBC he was assigned to USS GREENEVILLE at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME. He rode the USS MONTPELIER for qualifications on her 2021 European Theater deployment. Returning to GREENEVILLE, he served as the Damage Control Assistant, Undocking Officer, and Communications Officer for the remainder of the shipyard period. He sailed with GREENEVILLE during her homeport shift to San Diego, CA via the Panama Canal, and took on the additional duty as Assistant Operations Officer for the underway.
LT Naumann now serves as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science for the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
LIEUTENANT DIANE E. MEASON
NUCLEAR SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER
Lieutenant Diane E. Meason hails from Beloit, WI. She was selected for the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program in 2014 and attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences in 2018 and commissioned an Ensign in the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) - Nuclear Community.
Following her commission, LT Meason reported to USS NEW ORLEANS (LPD-18) where she served as Admin Officer, Legal Officer, and Operations Specialist Division Officer. She was instrumental in managing the ship’s homeport shift from San Diego, CA to Sasebo, Japan. During this period, USS NEW ORLEANS conducted joint exercises and patrols in the Indo-Pacific region, contributing to maritime security and cooperation with regional allies while enforcing UN trade sanctions and counter-smuggling operations in and around the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea. LT Meason earned her SWO qualification while on patrol in the South China Sea.
In August 2020, LT Meason reported to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, SC, where she received her initial nuclear power training and earned the Commanding Officer’s Personal Excellence Award.
In August 2021, LT Meason reported to USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76), in Yokosuka, Japan where she qualified as Propulsion Plant Watch Officer and Nuclear Engineer Officer. USS RONALD REAGAN participated in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Allies Refuge, and various exercises including joint operations with allied navies and conducted numerous freedom of navigation patrols throughout the Indo-Pacific Region.
In January 2024 she reported to the University of Minnesota NROTC Unit where she serves as the Surface Warfare Officer Instructor, underclassman class advisor, and Midshipmen Summer Cruise Coordinator.
LT Meason’s awards include two Navy Achievement Medals and various unit and service awards.
She is engaged to Chan Kim who currently resides in Milwaukee, WI.
MARINE OFFICER INSTRUCTORS
CAPTAIN RYAN A. SIDDALL
MARINE OFFICER INSTRUCTOR
Captain Ryan Siddall is from Milford, Connecticut. He commissioned in the Marine Corps in January, 2019 through the Platoon Leaders Course. He served for 4 years aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma; for two years as the Powerplants Officer, Aviation Life Support Systems Officer, and Airframes Officer with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13, and for two years as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer with VMFA-122. He promoted to the rank of Captain in June, 2023.
Captain Siddall graduated from The Basic School in 2019 with the occupational specialty 6002, Aircraft Maintenance Officer. His operational deployments include the TAVB, mobile repair activation in 2020, and is currently deployed as the F-35 assistant maintenance officer with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the INDOPACOM area of operations. Most recently, Captain Siddall was selected to serve as the Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Captain Siddall has undergraduate degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Astrophysics from the Illinois Institute of Technology and completed a Master of Business Administration with the University of Illinois. Prior to the Marine Corps, he worked at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia as a Hypersonic, Air Breathing Propulsion Engineer. He is currently enrolled in Expeditionary Warfare School and expects to be complete in June, 2024.
His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He is married to Sierra Siddall, a native of Gilbert, Arizona and has two dogs: Zeus and Barney.
GUNNERY SERGEANT ERIC G. DESROCHES
ASSISTANT MARINE OFFICER INSTRUCTOR
Gunnery Sergeant DesRoches was born in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada on October 9, 1986. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2010 in Lincoln Nebraska and reported to recruit training in August 2010 to Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where he graduated October 2010. In November 2010 PFC DesRoches reported to School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, California to complete Marine Combat Training as part of Hotel Company where he graduated in December 2010.
Upon graduating Marine Combat Training in December 2010, PFC DesRoches reported to Individual Material Readiness List (IMRL) Manager's Course at Naval Air Station Meridian, MS. In February 2011 he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal as a result of achieving honor graduate for the IMRL Manager Course upon graduation and receiving the MOS of 6042, IMRL Asset Manager.
In March 2011 Lance Corporal DesRoches reported for duty to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at MCAS Beaufort, SC. Lance Corporal DesRoches deployed with MALS-31 to Afghanistan from August 2011 until February 2012 as a part of MALS-40 at Camp Leatherneck. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in October 2011 during this deployment.
In June 2012 Corporal DesRoches reported for duty to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, MAG-31, 2nd MAW located at MCAS Beaufort, SC. Corporal DesRoches served as the IMRL Program Manager and the Metrology and Calibration Program manager. While serving with VMFA(AW)-533 he participated in multiple training operations as well as a deployment as part of the Unit Deployment Program in the Western Pacific region from March 2013 until October 2013. Corporal DesRoches was promoted to the rank of Sergeant January 2014.
In January 2014 Sergeant DesRoches re-enlisted with a lateral move guarantee to MOS 7051, Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. In February 2014 Sergeant DesRoches reported for duty to Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Beaufort to start on the job training. In June 2014 he reported to Fire Protection Specialist Basic Course at the DOD Joint Fire Protection Academy in San Angelo, TX. Upon graduation in September 2014 and receiving the MOS of 7051, Sergeant DesRoches returned to H&HS at MCAS Beaufort to fulfill his duties as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter.
In November 2015 Sergeant DesRoches reported for duty to Airfield Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, MAG 36, 1st MAW located at Camp Foster in Okinawa Japan serving as an Expeditionary Firefighting Rescue Section Leader. During this time he participated in multiple training and real world operations throughout the Western Pacific region.
In March 2016 Sergeant DesRoches reported for duty to H&HS, MCAS Futenma as part of the Fleet Assistance Program. On April 1, 2017 he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as an Expeditionary Firefighting Rescue Section Leader as well as the Airfield Operations Ground Safety Officer.
In January 2018 Staff Sergeant DesRoches reported to Drill Instructor School at MCRD Parris Island. After completing the course and receiving the MOS of 0911, Staff Sergeant DesRoches reported for duty to the Second Recruit Training Battalion where he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor and Chief Drill Instructor. On April 1 2021 he was then promoted to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
In May 2021 Gunnery Sergeant DesRoches reported for duty to Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 at MCAS Beaufort where he was immediately sent to H&HS MCAS Beaufort as part of the Fleet Assistance Program where he served as a Station Captain. In March 2022 he was brought back to MWSS-273 to serve as the EFR Chief of Logistics and then the EFR SNCOIC.
In June 2023 Gunnery Sergeant DesRoches was selected for duty and currently serves as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI) for the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN.
Gunnery Sergeant DesRoches' personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and (2) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.