Captain Eric Hunter
Commanding Officer, Blue Crew, USS Ohio
Captain Eric A. Hunter, a native of Jonesboro, Georgia, graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2000, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. Upon graduation, he proceeded to Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida where he served as Regimental Commander while in attendance. Following his commissioning, he completed the nuclear power training pipeline in Charleston, South Carolina and Submarine Officer's Basic Course in Groton, Connecticut.
In November of 2002, he was assigned to USS SANTA FE (SSN 763) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he served as Main Propulsion Assistant, Communication/Navigation Officer, and Ship's Scuba Diving Officer. He completed both an Eastern Pacific and Western Pacific deployment, in which the ship was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
In December of 2005, he was assigned to NROTC Atlanta Region at Morehouse College were he served as the Nuclear Programs Officer and Assistant Professor of Naval Science. During this tour, he graduated from Old Dominion University with a master’s degree in Engineering Management and also completed the Joint Professional Military Education (Phase I) from the US Air Force, Air Command and Staff College.
Upon completion of Submarine Officer Advanced Course and qualification as Strategic Weapons Officer onboard USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735)(BLUE), he reported to USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737)(GOLD) as the Strategic Weapons Officer in April 2009 and completed five strategic deterrent patrols. During his tour the ship was awarded the USSTRACOM Omaha Trophy for strategic excellence.
In December of 2011, he reported to Submarine Squadron 17 to serve as the Strategic Weapons Officer. During his tour he supported 14 SSBN crews and their successful completion of 41 strategic deterrent patrols.
In November of 2014, he reported as Executive Officer onboard USS HENRY M. JACKSON (GOLD) (SSBN 730) and completed three strategic deterrent patrols.
In December of 2016, he reported as Executive Officer of the COMSUBLANT Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team where he completed 14 evaluations of Atlantic Fleet submarine crews and two fleet learning centers.
In October of 2019, he reported as Commanding Officer onboard USS NEVADA (SSBN 733)(BLUE) and completed two strategic deterrent patrols and an extended refit period for ship modernization.
In March of 2022, CAPT Hunter reported to Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) to serve as the Senior Member of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team where he completed 12 evaluations of Pacific Fleet submarine crews.