INSTURCTORS

Richard A. Colonna, Captain USR (Ret)

Senior Naval Science Instructor

Richard A. Colonna, Captain, USN (Retired), a native of Endicott, New York, is a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. He earned his master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University. Captain Colonna retired in 2008 after 22 years of distinguished naval service.

Captain Colonna served aboard numerous surface warfare platforms including the Sixth Fleet Flagship, USS BELKNAP (CG 26), USS PLATTE (A0 186), Amphibious Squadron FOUR (PHIBRON FOUR) embarked in USS INCHON (LPH 12) and USS AUSTIN (LPD 4) where he served as Executive Officer. After a tour of duty at the Pentagon on the staff of Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75), he returned to USS Austin (LPD-4) as the 27th Commanding Officer. Captain Colonna also had two Command Ashore tours as the Commanding Officer of Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Ebensburg, PA and Navy Operational Support Center, Willow Grove, PA.

Since his retirement in 2008, and prior to taking the Senior Naval Science Instructor position at St. Stephens High School in 2020, he was the SNSI at Deptford Township High School, and before that, he was a classroom teacher at Springfield Township Middle School (Montgomery County) where he taught science, math and STEM. He was also the 7th grade team leader, assistant high school track coach, and STAR leader mentor.

Captain Colonna has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and several other personal and unit decorations. He is the proud father of 5 children and 4 step-children. He resides in Bucks County Pennsylvania with his wife Jill and their two dogs, Colt and Mac.

Naval Science Instructor St. Stephens High School

GUNNERY SERGEANT ERIC L. PRATT

Gunnery Sergeant Eric L. Pratt was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He graduated

from Parris Island, South Carolina in October 1994 and then attended Marine Combat

Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina to become a Basic Rifleman.

From October 1994 to September 1995, he was assigned as a student at Marine Corps

Communication Electronics School, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms

California where he became qualified as a Radio Repairman.

From September 1995 to December 1999, he was assigned to 1st Radio Battalion,

Kaneohe Bay Hawaii, where he was attached to the 15 th Marine Expeditionary Unit

aboard the USS ESSEX for deployment to the Pacific where he was promoted to the

rank of Corporal.

From December 1999 to July 2003, he was assigned to 4 th Tank Battalion,

TOW/SCOUT Platoon, Amarillo Texas as a member of the Inspector-Instructor Staff

developing training plans and assisting the reserve sections for deployment. During this

time he was selected to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

From July 2003 to August 2004 he returned to Twenty-nine Palms for Communications

Electronics Maintenance Supervisory Courses.

From August 2004 to June 2006 he was attached to VMU-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Squadron as the Communications Maintenance Chief. He deployed twice during this

period to Iraq in support of operations in Al Taqaddum. During this period he was

selected to attend Satellite Technicians School in Fort Benning Georgia.

From December 2006 to December 2010 , he was assigned as the Platoon Commander

at 2 nd Marine Division, Communications Company, Communications Electronics

Platoon, Camp Lejeune North Carolina where he completed multiple deployments to

Iraq to support retrograde operations with 8 th Marine Regiment. During this time he was

promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

From December 2010 to July 2014, he was assigned to Marine Corps Communications

School as an instructor within the Digital Wideband Repair Course until his retirement.

From August 2014 to 2019 he was the Naval Science Instructor at Alexander Central

High School and in 2019 transferred to St. Stephens High School in the same role.

His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 nd

award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).