USS Monterey (CG 61) - Naval Cruise Book

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Capt R© t E. Oildani Captain Robert E. Oldani was born in Detroit, Michigan on 30 April 1958. He was commissioned through the NROTC Program upon graduation from the University of Michigan in 1980, where he re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechani- cal Engineering. Upon completion of Nuclear Power Training, Captain Oldani reported to USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41), where he served as Chemistry and Radiological Assistant. His next tour was aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) as Reactor Training Assistant. He was then assigned as an NROTC instruc- tor at his alma ma- ter, the University of Michigan. Following training at the Surface Warfare Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, he reported to USS BOWEN (FF 1079) as Combat Systems Officer. He then returned to USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) as Reactor Mechanical Assistant, and was subsequently assigned as Reactor Electrical Assistant. He attended the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College, graduating with distinc- tion, and earning a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Stud- ies. He was then assigned as Executive Officer of USS ANTIETAM (CG 54). Captain Oldani was then assigned to the OPNAV staff, serving concurrently as the Assistant for Fi- nancial Management to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Resources, Warfare Requirements and Assessments (N8F), as the Head Analyst in the Maintenance Section of the Programming Division (N801 G), and as Financial Assistant in the ASW Requirements Division (N84F). While there he earned a Master of Science in Engineering, with a concentration in Engineering Management. He was then assigned as the Officer in Charge, Atlantic Fleet Surface Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team. Captain Oldani commanded USS ESTOCIN (FFG 15) from May 1999 to February 2001, conducting two deployments to the Southern Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), while earning the Battle Effi- ciency Excellence Award, and seven consecutive Retention Honor Roll Awards. He was then assigned as Chief Engineer on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), where he participated in the initial strikes into Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREE- DOM. He served as the Execu- tive Assistant to the Deputy Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command earn- ing designation as a Joint Specialty Officer. He took command of USS MONTEREY (CG-61) in Decem- ber 2005, leading her through Partnership of the Americas, NEPTUNE WARRIOR 06-2 and 06-3, and a Mediterranean deployment as flagship for Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group TWO. Under his command, MONTEREY earned the Golden An- chor for Retention Excellence, the Battle Effective- ness ' E ' and four of six Command Excellence Awards. Captain Oldani is authorized to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four gold stars, the Navy Commenda- tion Medal with two gold stars, the Battle Efficiency Ribbon (7), and various campaign and service medals and ribbons.