Executive Officer
Capt. Paul Choate
Capt. Paul Choate, a native of Saigon, Vietnam, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1986. After initial recruit training he served as an Avionics Technician as an in-flight technician with Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4 and as an instructor with Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU). In 1996, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Oklahoma and was commissioned an Ensign. After receiving his commission, Choate served with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 45, Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30, and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4.
He served onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), USS Makin Island (LHD 8), and as AIMD officer onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). He also served as program manager for Logistics at Program Management Officer (PMA)-273, as the improvised explosive device (IED) technical officer while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as the production officer for Fleet Readiness Center West, on the staff of Carrier Strike Group 15, and most recently as the components production officer for Commander, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest.
Choate’s qualifications and advance education include being a certified Professional Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck (Underway), and he earned his Enlisted Master Training Specialist designation as an enlisted Sailor. He is DAWIA level three certified in PQM, ENG, and Logistics and holds a master of science degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Choate is an accomplished chess player winning a Gold Medal in 2002 at the NATO Chess championship in Brest, France and is a published author, receiving congressional recognition for winning the 2012 Exemplary Writing Award. He was also selected as the 1992 CNATTU Sailor of the Year and 1998 HSL-45 Officer of the Year. Choate is authorized to wear the Professional Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer insignia. His personal awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and numerous campaign, unit, and service awards.
On July 9th, 2020, Choate took over as executive officer of Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic.