2005 Event Speaker:

Commander Charles Altman - Executive Officer, Naval ROTC at University of Minnesota

Commander Charles Altman
United States Navy

Commander Altman is a native of Maple Heights, Ohio and attended Miami University and The University of Toledo, Ohio. He graduated from The University of Toledo with a B.S., Industrial Engineering, 1982.

Following commissioning through the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School, Commander Altman entered flight training and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1983. His first operational assignment was with PATROL SQUADRON TWENTY-TWO (VP-22), NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii from 1984 to 1987. Commander Altman served as Assistant Operations Officer, qualified as a P-3B tactical coordinator and mission commander, and deployed to Cubi Point, Philippines, NAF Kadena, Japan, Adak, Alaska and Diego Garcia, BIOT.

In 1988, Commander Altman reported to the Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Seventh Fleet (CTF-72), Kami Seya, Japan as a Watch/Staff Officer and the JMSDF Liaison Officer.

Commander Altman's next assignment was Naval Recruiting District, Cleveland, Ohio from 1990-1991. Commander Altman served as Enlisted Programs Officer, supervising 200 recruiters in Ohio.

In 1991, Commander Altman reported to the USS America, Norfolk, Virginia. During this tour as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer and Air Boss for Helicopter Operations, he deployed to the Persian Gulf, participating in Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM.

Commander Altman returned to operational flying duty from 1993-1995 when he served as Tactics, Assistant Maintenance and Maintenance Officer with PATROL SQUADRON NINE (VP-9), NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. He deployed to Diego Garcia, BIOT and Misawa, Japan. He qualified as a P-3C tactical coordinator and mission commander.

In 1995 Commander Altman served as Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Pacific Patrol Squadron Detachment San Diego, California. His Charge consisted of 8 aircraft and 320 personnel stationed at NAS North Island, California.

In 1996, Commander Altman was assigned to Washington, D.C. at the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the Division Director for the Comptroller/Financial Management office of Pers-code SIX. He transitioned with the Comptroller/Financial Management office of Pers-code SIX to Millington, TN. in 1998.

From 1998-1999, Commander Altman was assigned to the Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia earning a Masters Degree in Military Science and the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia where he was designated a Joint Specialty Officer.

In November 1999, Commander Altman reported to Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C. for language and attaché training, and assumed responsibilities as U.S. Naval Attaché, Tel Aviv, Israel in 2001 - 2004. During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Commander Altman served as Military Assistant to the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for the Middle East at the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.

From 2004 - 2007, Commander Altman reported to the ROTC Unit, University of Minnesota as Associate Professor of Naval Science and Executive Officer. Commander Altman taught Naval History (Seapower) and Leadership and Management to over 160 Midshipmen, and choreographed a staff of 15 University Professionals.

From August of 2007 – July of 2008 he was assigned as a student at the Inter American Defense College on Ft McNair (NDU Campus) in Washington DC earning a Masters degree in Western Hemispheric Security and Defense. IADC is attended by 16 countries representing the Americas and Europe.

In July 2008, Commander Altman reported to the Marine Corps War College as Assoc Dean-Navy Chair.

CDR Altman and Jon Lindstrand in 2005. Altman donated some uniforms.