A native of Dyer, TN, CDR McCurdy has earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Science in Engineering Science-Aerospace Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
 
After commissioning through Vanderbilt University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2006, he received flight training in the T-34 and TH-57 onboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, FL. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2008 and subsequently completed initial fleet training in the MH‑60S at HSC-2 onboard Naval Station Norfolk, VA.
 
CDR McCurdy began his operational flying in 2008 with the HSC-28 "Dragon Whales" onboard Naval Station Norfolk. There he deployed as an MH-60S helicopter pilot in U.S. 2^nd, 5^th, and 6^th Fleets aboard USS Wasp, USS Nassau, USS Mount Whitney, USNS Sacagawea, and USS Kearsarge in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
 
In 2012, CDR McCurdy reported to the HSC-2 "Fleet Angels," where he flew as an instructor pilot before being selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD. 
 
He graduated with distinction from USNTPS class 144 in 2013 then reported to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Directorate (UASTD) at Webster Field, MD. At UASTD, he served from 2014 to 2016 as an MQ-8B Fire Scout developmental test pilot, MQ-8B NATOPS Instructor, and squadron Operations Officer for 17 unique aircraft. While serving as an MQ-8B test pilot, he led and flew on multiple projects including shipboard operating envelope expansion, surface search radar integration, performance testing, and software regression. During his test tour, he also served at HX‑21 as an MH-60R/S and TH-57 test pilot and project officer. He was named the Naval Test Wing Atlantic UAS Test Pilot of the Year for 2014.
 
CDR McCurdy returned to operational duty from 2016 to 2019 as a department head with the HSC-12 "Golden Falcons" onboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. There he served as detachment Officer in Charge, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer and embarked on USS Ronald Reagan during three U.S. 7^th Fleet deployments.
 
From 2019 to 2021, CDR McCurdy served as a Rotary Wing Test Pilot Instructor at USNTPS at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD, where he instructed in the OH-58C, UH-60A/L, and UH-72A. While at USNTPS, he served as the Senior Rotary Wing Instructor and project officer on various test and acquisitions projects. He was selected for squadron command in 2020 and reported to the HSC-4 "Black Knights" as Executive Officer in March 2022.
 
CDR McCurdy has accumulated 3500 mishap-free flight hours in more than 40 aircraft, including turboprop, jet, piston, helicopter, unmanned, tiltrotor, tailwheel, and sailplane. His personal decorations include three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various unit and campaign commendations. Tom and his wife, Katie, have two intelligent and energetic children, Lilly Ann and Tate.
 

Last Updated: 8 August 2023