David Polatty
Associate Professor
Associate Professor of Maritime Operations
Maritime Staff Operators Course
Profile
Professor Dave Polatty teaches the Maritime Staff Operators Course, lecturing on joint/Navy concepts and doctrine, the Navy Planning Process, operational art, operational command and control, maritime domain awareness, maritime operational threat response, foreign humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, operational assessment, and joint fires/targeting. His research interests include command and control, foreign humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, piracy, unmanned systems, war gaming, and strategic/operational leadership.
Dave graduated with highest distinction from the US Naval War College in June 2006, earning a MA in National Security Strategic Studies and receiving the Navy League William S. Sims Award. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in May 1992, earning a BS in History. He is also a graduate of the US Joint Forces Staff College’s Advanced Joint Professional Military Education program, Homeland Security Planner’s Course, and the US Agency for International Development’s Joint Humanitarian Operations Course.
He is a fourth generation Naval Officer and Commander in the Navy Reserve. While on active duty he served as both a Surface Warfare Officer onboard USS TARAWA (LHA-1) and Naval Flight Officer in the P-3 community.
Dave started his Navy Reserve career with NR Naval Coordination and Guidance of Shipping Detachment Bravo.
He was recalled to active duty for assignment to the U.S. Naval War College, where he served as the Operational Support Officer and Executive Assistant to the President. During this recall he also served on the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Operational Advisory Group for four years and assisted in aligning active and reserve requirements for a number of MOC initiatives.
From 2007 - 2010 he served as Executive Officer of NR U.S. Forces Korea Detachment 102, providing operational support to U.S. Forces Korea, United Nations Command, and the U.S. – ROK Combined Forces Command. From November 2008 to May 2009 he served as Detachment 102 Commanding Officer.
He is currently serving as Commanding Officer of NR U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet, providing operational support to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.