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USS Tortuga (LSD-46)

CDR. Valerie K. Broznak, USN
Commanding Officer Commander Valerie Broznak is a native of Euclid, Ohio. She commissioned in 2003 from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs. She also holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She is a graduate of the Naval War College Joint Professional Military Education (Phase I) and Georgetown University Government Affairs Institute Legislative Studies Programs.

At sea, she was the Executive Officer for USS MONTEREY (CG 61) during their deployment to the European and Middle East theaters. She was Weapons and Combat Systems Officer in USS LABOON (DDG 58) during her maiden Ballistic Missile Defense deployment in support of Operations Sharp Sentry and Atlantic Sentry and subsequent mid-life modernization. She served as Assistant Operations Officer for Commander Destroyer Squadron FIVE ZERO while conducting critical infrastructure protection in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She served a Plankowner tour in USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93) as First Lieutenant, Combat Fires Division Officer, and Auxiliaries Officer during the ship’s deployment to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ashore, she was the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile Officer in Charge for United States Fleet Forces Command. She also served a Congressional Liaison for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management & Comptroller. She was the Defense Legislative Fellow for Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) through the Office of Legislative Affairs in support of his roles on the House Appropriations Subcommittees for Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. She served as Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Naval Science at Duke University and taught Navigation, Seamanship, Military Operations, and Leadership. She was the lead for Weapons and Combat Systems Officer Billet Specialty Training and taught Ballistic Missile Defense at the Surface Warfare Officer School. Additionally, she taught the Anti-Terrorism Officer Course for the Center for Security Forces.

Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various other campaign, unit, and service awards.

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