A native of Cape May, NJ, CDR Pratt was commissioned from the United States Naval Academy in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.  He also holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Naval Post Graduate School.  He earned his Naval Aviator Wings in May 2005, is a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, and has accumulated over 2,400 hours in the MH-60R helicopter. 

At sea, CDR Pratt served as a Plank Owner at Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) 71.  While assigned to the “Raptors”, he deployed to the Western Pacific onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and supported the Joint Special Task Force Philippines onboard USS Kidd (DDG 100).   Additionally, he served as the Assistant Operations Officer with the “Broadsword” of CVW-2, where he supported a deployment to the South Pacific onboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and RIMPAC 2014 onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).  He completed his department head tour with the “Griffins” of HSM-79, a west coast stand-up squadron attached to the “Freedom Fighters” of CVW-7.  He took the command from its Safe for Flight inspection to deployment and was selected as the 2018 Officer of the Year. 

Ashore, CDR Pratt served as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot with the “Seahawks” of    HSM-41.  As the WTI Standardization Officer, he established the Air Combat Training Continuum program and ensured the on-time graduation of over 600 Fleet Replacement Pilots.  Additionally, he served as the Helicopter Shore and Graduate Education Detailer for the Naval Personnel Command.  During his tenure at PERS-43, he skillfully managed the careers of over 1,200 junior officers across three helicopter communities, supported eight selection boards and aligned the Naval Aviation Enterprise with CNO education initiatives.  He selected for HSM Operational Command in March 2018.

CDR Pratt’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.  

He is happily married to his wife Crystal, together they have two children.  Go Birds, Go Phils, Go Navy!
 

Last Updated: 17 November 2022