A native of Petaluma, Ca., Captain Paul Murch graduated from the University of the Pacific in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Management. He was awarded a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2009.
Capt. Murch received his commission as a Surface Warfare Officer through Officer Candidate School and reported to USS Cleveland (LPD 7). Aboard Cleveland, he served as the Electronic Warfare Officer and Propulsion Division Officer. The ship completed a 7-month deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet, participating in Exercise Bright Star 2005 and delivering earthquake relief supplies to Karachi, Pakistan. Following this tour, he reported to Commander, Amphibious Squadron One as the Operations Division Officer.
Capt. Murch transferred into the Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) community in 2006. He qualified EDO while serving as Aegis Test Officer at Southwest Regional Maintenance Center. Subsequent EDO assignments include N4/N43 Maintenance and Material Officer on the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific; Surface Ship Operations Officer at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility; and Zumwalt (DDG 1000) Class Program Manager’s Representative at Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Bath, Maine.
Most recently, Capt. Murch served as Officer in Charge, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center, Detachment Rota from July 2021 to December 2023, where he was responsible for the maintenance, modernization of the U.S. Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces – Europe fleet of Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.
Capt. Murch’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal (two awards).