A native of Dayton, Ohio, Commander Pierce earned his commission in May 2009 through the Carnegie Mellon University NROTC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Professional Communication and Organizational Leadership. Following flight training in Pensacola, Florida, and Corpus Christi, Texas, he was designated a Naval Aviator in March 2011.

Upon completion of the P-3C Orion Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), he reported to the Golden Eagles of Patrol Squadron NINE in Kaneohe Bay, HI. While there, he deployed twice to the SIXTH and FIFTH Fleet AORs, operating out of Italy, Djibouti, Qatar, Greece, Spain, Scotland, and Iceland. 

His duties at VP-9 included Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Pilot Training Officer, and Primary NATOPS Evaluator.

In April 2015, he reported to the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School (MPRWS) as a P-3C Weapons and Tactics Instructor Pilot. While onboard, he served as FRS Instructor Pilot, Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection (CWTPI) Pilot, Advanced Readiness Program (ARP) Pilot Lead, P-3C PQS Lead, and MQ-4C Triton AVO Lead.

In February 2018, he reported to USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) in Newport News, Virginia for duty as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer (SHOOTER). During his tour, he served as DIVO of the V-1, V-2, and V-4 Divisions, while also stepping in as the acting Security Officer, leading 150 Sailors and Marines in the protection of the ship and nuclear reactor material.

In June 2020, he reported to Unmanned Patrol Squadron ONE NINE (VUP-19) in Jacksonville, Florida for his Operational Department Head Tour. He initially forward-deployed to Triton’s SEVENTH Fleet FOB in Guam, then returned to complete his tour by serving as the Tactics Officer, Administrative Officer, and Operations Officer.

In November 2022, he reported to the CNO’s staff as a member of OPNAV N98, Air Warfare Directorate, fulfilling the duties of MQ-4C Triton Requirements Officer. He also served as the U.S. Head of Delegation (Technical Syndicate) for NATO’s Joint Capability Group on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (JCGUAS).

Commander Pierce has accumulated over 2,200 flight hours and 600 combat hours in the P-3C Orion and MQ-4C Triton aircraft. He has completed a Master’s of Science in Finance (Northeastern University) and a Master’s of System Analysis (Naval Postgraduate School). 

Last Updated: 18 November 2025