Originally from Cottonwood, California, Capt. Joseph Burgon graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. During his senior year at the Naval Academy, he was selected for the Voluntary Graduate Education Program, earning a Master of Arts degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Afloat, Capt. Burgon most recently served as Commanding Officer, USS Charleston (LCS 18) Gold from February 2020 to November 2021, where he led his crew through the commissioning process and the ship’s first 6 months of its maiden deployment to the 7th Fleet region. Capt. Burgon previously served as Commanding Officer of USS Cowpens (CG63) from October 2017 to March 2018, where he was responsible for overseeing the execution of a $48 Million Selected Restricted Availability and the implementation of the first phase of “re-crewing” the ship as part of Phased Modernization. He also served as Commanding Officer (June 2016-July 2017) and Executive Officer (April 2015-June 2016) of USS Champion (MCM 4), which he led through various exercises and certifications, including Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016. As a Department Head, he served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer aboard USS Lake Erie (CG 70) from April 2011 to June 2013, during which the ship completed 7 Ballistic Missile Defense Flight Test Missions and a surge deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. His Division Officer tours include service as Fire Control Officer aboard USS Chafee (DDG 90) and Communications Officer for USS Port Royal (CG 73).
Ashore, Capt. Burgon most recently served as Assistant Program Manager for the Maritime Tactical Command and Control (MTC2) software program within the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I), delivering the Navy’s first tactical software application “over-the-air" via a Development, Security and Operations pipeline. He also previously served as the Littoral Combat Ship and Mission Module Integration Platform Manager in the Ship Integration Program Office for PEO C4I. During that tour, he completed the Naval Postgraduate School’s Executive Masters of Business Administration Program, graduating with distinction and earning the Louis D. Liskin Award for Excellence in Management. He also served on staff for Commander, Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific as the Training and Warfighting Readiness Officer.
Capt. Burgon’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards