CAPTAIN ROBERT A. HEELY JR., USN
Commanding Officer/Professor of Naval Science, NROTC Unit Tulane University.
Captain Heely, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry and he earned his Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Rhode Island. Captain Heely took command of Naval Base San Diego on March 17, 2023. He was previously assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific as the Commander’s Action Group Director.
Captain Heely’s sea tours include serving as the Communications Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant on board USS SAMUEL B ROBERTS (FFG 58); Combat Information Center Officer and Assistant Operations Officer on board USS LABOON (DDG 58); Commissioning Chief Engineer for USS SAMPSON (DDG 102); Chief Engineer for USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57); and as the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer on board USS MICHAEL MURPHY (DDG 112).
Ashore, he served as a Counter-narcotics Action Officer and Flag Aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information, Plans, and Strategy (N3/N5); as a Defense Legislative Fellow for the U.S. House of Representatives; as Deputy Legislative Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff in Washington D.C. and as Warfighting Integration and Assessments Branch Head for OPNAV N96.
Captain Heely’s military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards.
