Captain Michael Norton, USN, Ph.D.
Captain Norton graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in May of 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. He commenced flight training and was subsequently designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator[cite: 2].
His operational tours include two assignments flying the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter with the Proud Warriors of HSL-42 and the EasyRiders of HSL-37. While a Proud Warrior, he deployed to the southern hemisphere in support of exercise UNITAS 41-00 and to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf in support of operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM[cite: 2].
While an EasyRider, he served as the Officer in Charge of three helicopter detachments supporting Middle Pacific (MIDPAC) ships, deploying to the Western Pacific in support of operation PRC OVERWATCH and supporting exercises RIMPAC 2008 and 2010. In addition to his flying assignments, he completed a disassociated sea tour on the staff of the Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Sixth Fleet (CNE-C6F). Underway, he supported Joint Task Force LEBANON in the Mediterranean Sea and exercise FLEXIBLE LEADER 2007 in the Eastern Atlantic[cite: 2].
His shore duty includes a Joint assignment at the 613th Air Operations Center (613 AOC), Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawai’i. While at 613 AOC, he supported operation NOBLE EAGLE as a Fighter Intercept Duty Officer and his expertise as the Chief of Dynamic Targeting was instrumental to planning efforts for integration with Joint Task Force 519 (JTF 519). As well, he supported operation TOMODACHI at Yokota Air Base in Japan and exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2011 in Australia. Other shore duty includes graduate school at the University of Maryland and two assignments at the United States Naval Academy (USNA)[cite: 2].
During the first, he completed the Leadership Education and Development program and served as the 14th Company Officer and Executive Assistant to the Commandant of Midshipmen. He is currently stationed at USNA as a Permanent Military Professor[cite: 2].
Captain Norton’s post-graduate education includes a Doctor of Philosophy degree in sociology from the University of Maryland, in addition to other graduate degrees and professional military education. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and the Air Force Combat Readiness Medal[cite: 3].
Lieutenant Brianne “Brie” Coger
Lieutenant Coger graduated from the University of Miami, FL with a degree in Bachelor of Theatre Arts, May 2005. In 2008, she graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL as an enlisted Sailor. Upon completion of Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD), Eglin Air Force Base in 2009, she graduated as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Petty Officer Third Class.
While enlisted, she first reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) Eight, Rota, Spain, where she served on Mine Countermeasures (MCM) platoons. She subsequently reported to EODMU ELEVEN, Imperial Beach, CA where she filled the Leading Petty Officer role for a mobility platoon which deployed to Bahrain in support of Fifth Fleet operations and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Ashore she was assigned to EOD Training and Evaluation Unit One, San Diego, CA, as the EOD curriculum manager for MCM. In that role, she reconfigured the course to reflect the foundational changes brought on by the introduction of doctrinal shifts and Unmanned Underwater Systems. From there she was selected for commissioning through the Officer Candidate School (OCS) accessions process in 2017.
Upon commissioning from Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, she attended Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City Beach, FL. Checking on board EODMU One in August 2018, she was assigned as Platoon Commander for Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) EOD Task Element, completing a deployment supporting Joint and Combined interoperability throughout the Republic of Korea. Assigned to EODMU Three in August 2021, she led as the Company Commander for an Expeditionary MCM Company and completed a Naval Forces Central Command deployment under Command Task Force FIVE TWO. In 2024, LT Coger reported to BUPERS-3 in Millington, TN where she served as the Naval Special Operations Enlisted Community Manager overseeing the health, and manpower of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Navy Diver, and Robotics Warfare enlisted communities.
LT Coger is currently serving as the Operations Officer of EODMU One, where she is responsible for supporting the force employment of seven units of action, projected to deploy throughout the Seventh Fleet area of operations, and managing responses in support of Maritime Homeland Defense.
Coger’s personal decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medals, and various other service awards. She is qualified as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, Joint Diving Officer and Naval Parachutist.