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Biography
Dale's Personal Biography:
Military Biography:
 Dale Michael Courtney was born in Venice, Florida, in
October 1959, the youngest of four sons. He entered the Nuclear Power Officer
Candidate program on 23 April 1981, and reported for duty to Officer Candidate
School in Newport, Rhode Island, upon completing his Bachelors of Arts in
Physics, Math, and German in 1982 at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Upon completing Officer Candidate School, he received a commission as an Ensign
in the United States Navy on 1 October 1982 and commenced the nuclear power
training pipeline. He reported to Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida, for
six months, followed by six months at Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho
Falls, Idaho. There, he received both academic training and practical, hands-on
training to run a nuclear reactor. He qualified as Engineering Officer of the
Watch on the USS ENTERPRISE's A1W prototype reactor.
His follow-on school was at Submarine Officer Basic School in Groton,
Connecticut, where he studied submarine warfare tactics. He was transferred to
his first submarine, the USS STONEWALL JACKSON (SSBN-634G), in March 1984 in
Charleston, South Carolina. There he was assigned the duties of
Chemistry/Radiological Controls, Reactor Controls, and Communications Officer.
 He completed four strategic patrols, earned his Gold Dolphins for qualification
as a submarine officer, and was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. In July
1985, the STONEWALL JACKSON went into Charleston Naval Shipyard for a three-year
refueling overhaul. He was the Refueling Officer and Assistant Engineer and was
promoted to Lieutenant. For his efforts during the four years onboard the
JACKSON he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.
In August 1987 he was transferred to Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida.
There he taught Electrical Engineering to the Nuclear Officers and supervised
the final comprehensive examination of all nuclear-trained officers.
His follow-on orders were to a series of schools: first to Submarine Officer
Advanced school in Groton, CT, where he studied advanced submarine warfare
tactics. Then to Trident Missile school, Strategic Weapons Officer school, and
Nuclear Weapons Safety and Security school.
He reported to his second submarine, the USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN-640G), in
Charleston, South Carolina in September 1990, where he was assigned as Strategic
Weapons Officer and Tactical Action Officer. There he supervised 70 submariners
in the security, maintenance, and operation of the tactical and strategic
weapons of this Trident missile submarine. He completed four more strategic
patrols, qualified for command of submarines, and was awarded the National
Defense Service medal, Battle Efficiency “E” ribbon, SSBN of the Year, Sea
Service Deployment ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Navy Commendation
Medal.
His next assignment in February 1993 was to the submarine support ship USS
HUNLEY (AS-31) in Norfolk, Virginia, as the Radiological Controls Officer, where
he supervised the repair and maintenance of 15 submarines assigned to Submarine
Squadrons SIX and EIGHT and Submarine Group TWO. During this time he was
promoted to Lieutenant Commander and was awarded the Meritorious Unit
Commendation and the Navy Commendation Medal.
In July 1994 he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,
California, and received his Masters of Science in Information Technology
Management in October 1996. He was asked by the Superintendent to stand-up the
Applications Development Group at the Postgraduate School, and has served as the
director of Client-Server and Web applications group, is the School’s resident
database expert, and is a faculty member in the Information Systems Academic
Group.
Upon his retirement from the US Navy, LCDR Courtney was
presented with the Meritorious Service Metal for 20 years of an exemplary
military career.
Dale Courtney married Carla Mathews of Villa Grove, Illinois, on 6 June 1987.
They have a daughter, Chantelle Lynn, and three sons: Caleb Jackson, Joshua Lee,
and Joel Dabney.
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SILENT BUT DEADLY
USS Topeka (SSN 754) tracks a target during a RIMPAC 2000
exercise. Topeka can accomplish missions through multiple
capabilities including the ability to operate in complete
stealth; conduct extended and sustained high speed
operations; work with Naval special warfare, surface,
aviation, and amphibious forces; perform coastal
surveillance; and, if necessary, deploy land-attack,
anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.
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