LCDR Joseph H. Minnich
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, USS GLADIATOR (MCM 11)
08 April 2024
A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lieutenant Commander Joseph Minnich earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Trine University in 2010 and commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2012. He earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance in 2017 from the Naval Postgraduate School and completed phase 1 of the Joint Professional Military Education from the Naval War College.
At sea, he has served as the Main Propulsion Division Officer aboard USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45), Operations Officer, and Combat Systems Officer aboard USS ROSS (DDG 71). In October 2023, LCDR Minnich began serving as the Executive Officer aboard USS GLADIATOR (MCM 11). He has completed deployments contributing to various multinational exercises and operations, including support for the Commanders of 5th and 6th Fleets, NATO, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Ashore, LCDR Minnich was assigned to Commander Task Force 65 in Naples, Italy, as the Assistant Operations Officer and later assigned to Surface Warfare Officers School as an instructor for the Prospective Engineering Officer course, where he trained future engineering officers.
LCDR Minnich has earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), in addition to several unit awards.