Robert Woodruff

Navy Fellow, Institute for Politics and Strategy

Bio

Captain Robert Woodruff started his career by attending Texas A&M University at Galveston, in Galveston, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Systems Engineering and was commissioned in June 1999. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Captain Woodruff started his career as a Naval Flight Officer, earning his wings in June 2000. After completing the Fleet Replacement Squadron and qualifying as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) in the EA-6B Prowler, he joined the VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets. He held positions as NATOPS, Assistant Operations, Line Division, Personnel, and Assistant Tactics Officer. He made deployments on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and numerous joint and maritime exercises.  

Captain Woodruff then worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) in the Strike Projection Evaluation and Anti-air warfare Research division (SPEAR), as an all-source fusion analyst. During his assignment to ONI, he deployed as an individual augmentee in March 2006 - January 2007 with Joint CREW Composite Squadron ONE (JCCS-1) and supported 1st Armored Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Regiment in Al Hit, Iraq as the Battalion Electronic Warfare Officer. After ONI, CAPT Woodruff was assigned to Carrier Strike Group Ten attached to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the Strike Group Electronic Warfare Officer and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From CSG-10, he attended the US Naval War College Command and Staff Program. While attending War College, Captain Woodruff lateral transferred into the Cryptologic Warfare Officer community.

In June 2011, Captain Woodruff was assigned as the Operations Department Head at Navy Information Operations Command, Hawaii, where he earned the Information Warfare Officer designation. He was then assigned as the US Naval Forces Southern Command/US Fourth Fleet Cryptologist/Cryptologic Resource Coordinator from April 2013 - March 2015. Following his position at Fourth Fleet, he went to Carrier Strike Group Three as the Deputy Information Warfare Commander and Assistant Chief of Staff for Information Operations from March 2015 – May 2017. He was selected for Major Command Executive Officer and held the position at Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group from June 2017 – June 2019. He arrived at Headquarters, Allied Maritime Command in September 2019, and was promoted to Captain in September 2020. He holds positions as the Senior National Representative for the United States Element, Commander Staff Personnel Unit for Allied Maritime Command, and Information Operations Branch Head.

Captain Woodruff is married and has two children. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), as well as various campaign and unit awards.