Our Naval Science Instructor

Chief Petty Officer Todd M. Standinger USN (Ret.)

Naval Science Instructor

Grove City High School

Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps

Chief Standinger was born and raised in Locust Valley, New York. He moved to

Margate, Florida in 1987 as a Junior in High School, where he graduated from Coconut Creek

HS in June 1989.

He attended Navy Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes in March of 1996. He was

assigned to Division 235 out of Ship 13, where he was appointed Starboard Watch Section

Leader and received the Navy League Award for Outstanding Recruit. He graduated in May of

1996 where he went on to be stationed at Naval Air Station, Norfolk as an Undesignated

Airman.

During his time as a Fuel Truck operator and as a parts runner for the Airfield, he was

introduced to many Aviation rates. It wasn’t until June 1999 that he was granted permission to

attend Aircrew Survival Equipmentman “A” school in Pensacola, Florida.

In December 2000, he graduated from PR “A” school, and arrived at his first command,

Helicopter Squadron Light FOUR SIX (HSL-46) as a designated PRAN. During his tour as a

“Grandmaster,” he was responsible for the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of 46

Aircrew, 8 Aircraft installed SAR gear and associated equipment. After September 11, 2001, he

was one of only 3 PR’s working a grueling schedule to ensure the squadron was readily

available to leave at a moment's notice. He completed his Plane Captain Qualification (PC),

Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI), Ordnance Team Member and Individual qualification, and

Enlisted Aviation Warfare Systems Qualification (EAWS), completed his Associates Degree

from Florida Community College, Jacksonville, and was advanced to Petty Officer Second Class

by the end of his three year tour.

In January 2003, Chief Standinger left HSL-46 and joined the prestigious “Valions” of

Strike Fighter Squadron Fifteen (VFA-15) out of Oceana Air Base, Virginia. Upon arrival, he was

flown to Souda Bay Greece to meet his squadron on deployment. Here he was put into the

Leading Petty Officer position, even without having full understanding of fixed wing survival

gear. He learned quickly how things function on an aircraft carrier and continued to strive for

excellence. He did 2 deployments on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) as a part of

Carrier Air Group EIGHT (CAG 8). During his time, he was advanced to Petty Officer First

Class, requalified EAWS on the F/A-18 platform, qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare Systems

(ESWS) onboard the USS Roosevelt, nominated as First Class Petty Officer Association

President, Collateral Duty/Quality Assurance Inspector (CDQAR), and received Sailor of the

Quarter/Year in 2005.

In January of 2007, he reported to his only Intermediate level maintenance at Fleet

Readiness Center Mid Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia. He was assigned to the Aviation Life Support

Systems Division (800) as the Leading Petty Officer of “Charlie” Company. Here he learned

about aircraft and aircrew installed oxygen related systems and qualified as an 81C CDQAR. He

was then assigned to “Bravo” Company where he learned about all flotation devices installed on

the aircraft and aircrew gear. He also attained his 81B CDQAR. Finally he was assigned to

“Alpha” Company which was all about parachutes. He had learned how to pack by hand, as well

as by a 2 ton press, on his way to qualifying as an 81A CDQAR. Shortly after, he was assigned

as the 800 Division Leading Petty Officer and was immediately requested to transfer to Quality

Assurance from the Quality Assurance Officer and the Maintenance Officer, which he did. Upon

completion of his tour in 2010, he obtained 5 different CDQAR qualifications, his Six Sigma

“Green Belt” and completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Thomas Edison State University.

Chief Standinger reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Two (HSC-22) in

February of 2010. He was part of the first “Hellfire” missile launch from an MH-60S Aircraft.

During his time as a Sea Knight, he deployed with Det 1 onboard the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) in

support of Operation Continuing Promise, supplying humanitarian relief to the nation of Haiti

after a tremendous earthquake in 2010. He earned his Safe for Flight qualification, and during

what would be his second deployment, was selected to Chief Petty Officer. Upon returning to

HSC-22 he provided support for multiple Detachments both as a PRC as well as a Maintenance

Control Chief, as well as providing support to the USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) during various

carrier qualifications.

In September 2013, Chief Standinger was requested by

COMHELMSEACOMBATWIGNLANT to transfer to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two

(HSC-2) to perform duties as a Maintenance Control Chief. During his time as a “Fleet Angel” he

served as Command Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, as well as Aircraft Division Chief Petty

Officer. He served on the CPO Induction committee board as well as conducting CPO-365

training evolutions. He retired from Naval Service in September of 2016 after 21 combined

years of Service.

Chief Standinger’s decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards),

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), Good Conduct (seven awards),

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, along with various

unit and campaign awards.