Commanding Officer USS Michael Murphy

CDR Thomas E Shultz

Commander Shultz is a native of El Cajon, CA and commissioned in July 1994 after completing the NROTC program at the UCLA. Following commissioning, he completed the Surface Warfare Officers School Division Officer Course in Newport, RI and assigned to the USS MONSOON (PC 4) as the Weapons, Deck and Supply Officer. His second Division Officer tour was aboard the USS SIDES (FFG 14) as the Main Propulsion Assistant and Auxiliaries Officer, then attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and earned a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Upon completion of the Surface Warfare Officers School Department Head Course, Commander Shultz was assigned as Chief Engineer in USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) from June 2002 until June 2005. During his tour MOBILE BAY made two Arabian Gulf deployments. From July 2002 until April 2003, MOBILE BAY deployed with the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Strike Group participating in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. MOBILE BAY then deployed with Expeditionary Strike Group THREE from June 2004 until December 2004 for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.   Following completion of his Department Head tour, CDR Shultz was assigned as the Flag Lieutenant for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, then commanded USS PATRIOT (MCM 7), homeported in Sasebo, Japan, from January 2007 until August 2008. While in command, PATRIOT earned consecutive Battle E and Retention Excellence Awards. He reported as Chief Staff Officer of COMDESRON 7 in September 2008 and made two deployments with the RONALD REAGAN STRIKE GROUP in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.