Richard A. Rainer, Jr., CAPT, USN
Director
International Programs | Naval Staff College
Profile
CAPT Rainer hails from Western New York. He graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, and earned a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems from The George Washington University in 1992 and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, in 2002. He was commissioned upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in 1985.
Prior to his current assignment, CAPT Rainer served as the Chief of Navy Programs in the Office of Defense Cooperation at the US Embassy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
At sea, CAPT Rainer was Commanding Officer of the Aegis Cruiser USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG 51) from February 2002 to October 2004. While in command, CAPT Rainer deployed with the RONALD REAGAN Strike Group as Air Defense Commander.