Captain Mark Bruington was the 38th Commanding Officer of the Naval Research Laboratory, assuming command on August 1, 2014. As NRL's Commanding Officer, he directed the activities of approximately 2,500 scientists, engineers, and support personnel in their mission to conduct leading-edge research and provide new technological capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps. Prior to his assumption of command of NRL, he was the Principal Director, Programs at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
Captain Bruington, a native of California, was commissioned in 1990 after graduating from San Francisco State University with a B.S. in Physics. He received his Wings of Gold in 1992 and graduated from the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) with Class 117. He also holds an M.S. in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces,
His sea tours include an assignment in the A-6 Intruders with the VA-165, "The Boomers," aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. He next transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat and reported to VF-11, "The Red Rippers," aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74); again in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Following the events of September 11th, he joined VF-211, "The Fighting Checkmates," again aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), in the initial phases of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
His shore tours include instructor duty at US Naval Test Pilot School and squadron Safety Officer and F-14 project officer assigned to VX-23. Next, he served as the Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program office and as the Deputy Program Manager, PMA-265, for the F/A-18 Super Hornet and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F programs.
Captain Bruington has flown 70 combat missions above Iraq and Afghanistan, flown 41 different types of aircraft while amassing 3,200 flight hours and over 500 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Air Medals, and numerous personal, campaign, and unit level awards. Captain Bruington retired from Naval Service 7 July 2017.