A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Commander Derek Escalante graduated from North Carolina State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, and Society, concentrating in Biomedical studies. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School and is a designated member of the Navy Space Cadre.

Upon earning his wings, CDR Escalante selected to fly the MH-60S with the HSC-26 “Chargers.” During his tenure, he completed multiple helicopter detachments supporting Special Operations Forces, Search and Rescue missions, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. His primary deployments included Bahrain and the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Unified Response in Haiti, and Operation Continuing Promise 2011 aboard the USNS Comfort. Throughout these missions, he accumulated over 100 medical evacuations and rescues.

In 2015, CDR Escalante served aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer (Shooter), Division Officer, and qualified Assistant Air Officer. He earned the prestigious title of “Top Cat” and executed a combat deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR. Additionally, he completed an around-the-world deployment, culminating on the west coast.

In 2018, CDR Escalante reported to the HSC-23 “Wildcards” as a squadron department head. He deployed in the 7th Fleet AOR aboard the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) as the Aviation Officer in Charge, operating the MH-60S and MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle. As the Operations Officer, he led the command to become the first operational squadron in the Navy to achieve the Safe to Operate milestone for the MQ-8C Fire Scout.

Staff assignments include serving at as a cyber readiness analyst and team lead at Navy Cyber Forces (NCF); Flag Aide to Commander Navy Cyber Forces; Deputy Executive Assistant to Commander Navy Information Forces (NAVIFOR); Squadron Combat Systems (N6) Department Head of all CONUS MCM 1 Avenger Class ships at Mine Countermeasures Squadron 3 (MCMRON THREE); and the Missile and Space Domain Senior Evaluator and Stan/Eval Chief handling the National Nuclear Command and Control mission for the Joint Operations Center (JOC) at US Northern Command.
 
His personal awards and accolades include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), USNORTHCOM JOC Field Grade Officer of the Year, the Sikorsky Rescue Award, as well as various service and campaign awards.