A native of Springfield, Virginia, Commander Puckett graduated from Virginia Tech as a member of the Corps of Cadets in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History. CDR Puckett was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training. He earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings in June 2009. In August 2009, CDR Puckett reported to the VFA-122 “Flying Eagles” for initial fleet training as an F/A-18F Weapons Systems Operator (WSO). 

Reporting to the “Black Knights” of VFA-154, he deployed on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Operations TOMODACHI, NEW DAWN, and ENDURING FREEDOM and aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a WESTPAC deployment.

CDR Puckett reported back to the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122 as an Instructor WSO in July 2013.  He then reported to Carrier Air Wing NINE as the Strike Operations Officer, deploying aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) completing a WESTPAC and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

CDR Puckett returned to the fleet as a Department Head with the “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94.  With the Shrikes, he deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE while serving as both Administrative and Operations Officer.

After sea duty, CDR Puckett attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and earned a Master of Arts in Defense and Security Studies in November 2021.  Following graduation, CDR Puckett served as an action officer, Joint Staff, J-6 Directorate.  While on the Joint Staff, he directly supported the Joint Requirements Oversight Council for cybersecurity and command and control matters and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Ukraine Crisis Management Team.

He selected for squadron command in March 2021 and has served as VFA-154 Executive Officer since 8 October 2024.
 

Last Updated: 16 December 2024