Captain Daniel L. Weed, a native of Norwalk, CT, entered the Navy through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Rochester and graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Astrophysics.
Captain Weed attended Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida and Naval Propulsion Training Unit in Ballston Spa, NY in 1982. His first assignment was to the SKIPJACK class fast attack submarine USS SCAMP as Electrical/Interior Communications officer on USS SCAMP (SSN 588), conducting Northern Atlantic Special Operations and UNITAS South American Deployment in 1983-1983. After being selected for the Arleigh Burke Excellence Award at Surface Warfare Officer School, he was assigned as Damage Control Assistant and First Lieutenant on USS VIRGINIA (CGN 38) where he planned and coordinated deck and damage control operations during a six-week REFTRA availability in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. As Operations Officer USS SPRUANCE (DD-963) he conducted Counter-Drug Operations in the Western Caribbean, and was assigned to the pre-commissioning crew USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74), where, as Reactor Training Assistant, he completed over 1,000 hours of nuclear propulsion plant operations on nuclear powered submarines, surface ships, and aircraft carriers. As Executive Officer USS HEWITT (DD 966), he conducted Tomahawk Strike Operations during OPERATION DESERT FOX and emergent SEVENTH Fleet deployments during the Taiwan-China Missile in 1996. He has also served as Chief Staff Officer, Destroyer Squadron NINE, Everett, Washington, Commanding Officer, USS CUSHING (DD 985), and Fleet Operations Officer, COMSEVENTHFLT.
Ashore, he has served as NROTCU instructor at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY and DD-963/DDG-993/FFG-7 Platform sponsor at OPNAV Fleet Readiness and Training Branch. He is designated Joint Specialist having served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff Directorate for Strategy and Plans, holds an MBA from the University of Rochester William E. Simon School of Business, and holds a Master’s of Science in National Security Strategy and International Affairs from National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC. Captain Weed’s most recent assignment was as Division Chief, Strategic Deterrence and Strike Division, Joint Staff, J-5, Strategic Plans and Policy. Additionally, he is designated as Foreign Area Officer, Western Pacific with over 10 years experience serving in Japan.
Captain Weed’s personal awards include the Emperor of Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).
Captain Weed is married to Ms. Clair Pennels of Brisbane, Australia and has a son, Dan, and daughter, Kristen.
