Instructors

Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI)

CDR Kruppa is a native of Batavia, New York and after enlisting in the US Navy at the age of 17, he went on to receive a commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at The Pennsylvania State University.

A Surface Warfare Officer, CDR Kruppa’s afloat tours include serving with USS Nicholson (DD 982), USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968); USS Firebolt (PC 10); USS Laboon (DDG 58); and Destroyer Squadron Twenty Eight (CDS 28).  Most recently he served as Executive Officer in USS STOUT (DDG 55) from 2018-2019.  At sea he has completed multiple Fifth Fleet, Sixth Fleet, and NATO deployments in support of Operations ACTIVE ENDEAVOR, ALLIED PROTECTOR, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Ashore, Kruppa served as the Department Head leadership curriculum program manager and as senior 360 assessment project manager at the Center for Naval Leadership.  From 2013-2016 he served as lead planner for multiple, joint and combined contingency plans at Headquarters, U.S. European Command (J5).  From 2016-2017, CDR Kruppa served as Deputy Director, Commander’s Action Group at Naval Surface Force, Atlantic (SURFLANT). His most recent active-duty tour was Officer-In-Charge of Naval Support Activity Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Navy Yard Annex. Following retirement, he has served as the SNSI at NJROTC programs at Cherokee High School (NJ), William Allen High School (PA), and Boyertown High School (PA)  leading programs to multiple championships and distinguished awards to include the 2023 Most Improved Unit recipient for the NJROTC Northeast Region (Area 4).

A joint-qualified officer and planner, CDR Kruppa is a graduate of the U. S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, the U. S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW) and is a distinguished graduate (“Tog Gun”) of the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Commander’s Course.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the Pennsylvania State University and Master’s degrees in Military Studies, as well as, Operational Studies from Marine Corps University.

He is the recipient of various campaign, unit, and personal awards to include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), and the 2018 Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle E).

Naval Science Instructor (NSI)

 Gunnery Sergeant Bolton is a native of Reading, Pennsylvania and attended Exeter High School.

Gunnery Sergeant Bolton is a graduate of Kutztown University graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Always yearning to be a Marine, Gunnery Sergeant Bolton enlisted in June 2002 whereby he was in the delayed entry program and shipped May 19, 2003. Gunnery Sergeant was contracted as a Private First Class.

Gunnery Sergeant Bolton completed Recruit Training at Parris Island South Carolina on August 19, 2003, whereby he was a Squad Leader in Third Battalion. After graduating from Recruit Training, Private First Class (PFC) Bolton continued his Marine Combat Training at Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina graduating from the School of Infantry (SOI) and receiving a meritorious mast in 2003. With his basic Marine Corps Infantry training complete, PFC Bolton received orders to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for military occupational specialty (MOS) to become a basic cannoneer. PFC. Bolton graduated from the Basic Cannon Crewman Course (USMC) November of 2003 in the top ten percent of his class.

PFC. Bolton was given orders to report to India Battery 3/14 located in Reading Pennsylvania to serve as a cannoneer on the M198 155mm Howitzer. During his young career PFC. Bolton volunteered for various duties with his unit including Toys for Tots and rendering funeral honors; PFC. Bolton was promoted to Lance Corporal. As a Lance Corporal, Lance Corporal Bolton showcased his knowledge of what he learned in artillery school and was meritorious promoted to Corporal in 2005.

In 2006, the howitzers were housed in the gun bays as Corporal Bolton and the rest of the 3/14 Marines were deployed to the Al Anbar Providence in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in theater, Corporal Bolton served as the Sergeant of the guard and provided a vital security contingent that included conducting mounted patrols (lead navigator), quick reaction forces, perimeter security, and entry control points. For the performance of his duties while in Iraq, subsequently, Corporal Bolton was recognized as the Liberty USO Service Member of the year.

While back stateside, Corporal Bolton and India Battery completed NET training on the M777 155mm Howitzer whereby he was promoted to Sergeant and assumed the duties of Section Chief. Sergeant Bolton was awarded his second Naval Achievement Medal (NAM) for safely executing his duties as Section Chief as his gun accurately hit 5 out of 6 targets with his gun being named “Top Gun” during annual training exercises in Fort Hood Texas. Sergeant Bolton's career progression continued as he was the Reserve NCO for Toys for Tots and other details. Looking for further opportunities in the Marine Corps, Sergeant Bolton took part in the Individual Marine Augmentation program, Peacetime Wartime Support Team (PWST) as the Administrative Chief. After serving a year in (PWST) Sergeant Bolton returned to India Battery and was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2012. Staff Sergeant Bolton attended and completed Staff Academy whereby he graduated as a Distinguished Graduate. Staff Sergeant Bolton served as the Platoon Sergeant and the Local Security Chief the India Battery in addition to being Chairman of the Birthday ball Committee.

After serving as the Platoon Sergeant and Local Security Chief for the Battery Staff Sergeant Bolton was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in 2015. Gunnery Sergeant Bolton relinquished his role as Local Security Chief, remaining as the Platoon Sergeant. In 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Bolton assumed the role of Acting First Sergeant as the Reserve First Sergeant took part in security training for Mexican Marines for the year. Gunnery Sergeant Bolton completed the Advanced School Seminar comprising of Active and Reserve Marines.

Gunnery Sergeant Bolton was medically retired from India Battery in February 2021.

Gunnery Sergeant Bolton received the following awards: Select Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Campaign, and two Naval Achievement Medals.