A native of Damascus, Pennsylvania, Captain Burt Canfield graduated with honors from New York Maritime College in 1998, earning a Bachelors of Engineering in Electrical.Engineering and a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate’s License. He earned a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2005.
Captain Canfield has served in the Atlantic and Pacific submarine fleets. His first assignment was aboard USS Connecticut (SSN 22), where he completed two under-ice operations and a Northern Atlantic deployment. He served as Operations Officer on USS Ohio (SSGN 726) (GOLD) from June 2006 to January 2009. While serving aboard Ohio, he helped prepare and execute the United States’ first Ohio-class SSGN for her inaugural deployment to the Western Pacific. Commander Canfield’s Executive Officer assignment was on board USS Louisville (SSN 724), where he completed one Western Pacific deployment. He assumed command of USS John Warner (SSN 785) in September 2015, preparing and leading the ship through its first deployment including the first-ever combat launch of Tomahawk cruise missiles from a Virginia-class submarine. While Captain Canfield led the Warner, the ship earned the Submarine Squadron SIX Battle Efficiency Award for 2018, and was nominated for the Battenberg Cup by Commander, Submarine Forces, Atlantic Fleet.
Ashore, Captain Canfield has served on the staff of Commander U.S. Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet as a Regional Employment Officer and later as Director for Special Operations, at US Fleet Forces Command as Senior Member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board (NPEB), the Program Manager for the Compatibility Test Facility at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Test and Evaluation Director and MK 48 MOD 9 Program Manager for PMS 404, and Program Manager for Undersea Special Mission Systems (PMS390). Captain Canfield’s is privileged to now serve as the NAVSEA Chief of Staff.
Captain Canfield has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and various other awards.