CAPT Joel Uzarski hails from Ada, Michigan. He was commissioned in 2000 from the United States Naval Academy graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in engineering.
CAPT Uzarski is a Surface Warfare Officer Acquisition Professional and has served since August 2021 as the Major Program Manager (MPM) for Aegis BMD Weapons System at Sea-Based Weapons System/ Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in Dahlgren, Virginia.
At sea, CAPT Uzarski has served on four ships. His first assignment was as the Operational Intelligence Officer and Electrical Officer on USS Fletcher (DD 992), stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He also served as Training Officer on USS McFaul (DDG 74), stationed in Norfolk, Virginia; and as department head as the Weapons and Combat Systems Officer on USS Lake Erie (CG 70), stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, while it was serving as the BMD test ship for MDA. While a division officer and department head, Uzarski has made two Western Pacific and two U.S. 5th Fleet deployments.
His most recent at-sea billet was as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer on the guided missile destroyer, USS Gridley (DDG 101), based out of Everett, Washington. In 2019, while in command, Joel deployed with Gridley leading the ship through the Panama Canal, and to U.S. 6th Fleet area of operation performing as Flag Ship for the commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG-1), and earning his Blue Nose while operating north of the Arctic Circle.
While ashore, CAPT Uzarski has served in various acquisition billets including Aegis Ashore Program Manager at Sea-Based Weapon Systems; Fleet Readiness Officer in the Small Combatant Surface Vessel Integrated Combat Systems program office, IWS 8.0; Test and Evaluation Officer for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS Mission Module program, PMS-420; and at MDA while filling multiple positions including executive officer to Deputy Director; Chief of Staff for Standard Missile-3 Block IIB Missile Program Director; and Action Officer for the Navy Cell in the Office of the Director for Warfighter Strategic Integration (DDW). CAPT Uzarski is joint officer qualified.
CAPT Uzarski earned a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science and Phase One Joint Professional Military Education (JPME Phase I) from Naval Postgraduate School in 2007. He has attended the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, earning his JPME Phase II qualification. He is Level Three DAWIA certified in Program Management, is a member of the Acquisition Professional Management (APM) and the Surface Warfare Officer Acquisition Cadre, and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP).
CAPT Uzarski’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Naval and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, as well as various campaign and unit awards.
As of October, 2022
