Raymond (R.J.) Roberts

R.J. began his military career when he accepted admission to the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS) in Newport, RI in the summer of 1985. Graduating NAPS on the Director's Honors List, R.J. received a Secretary of the Navy's nomination to attend the United States Naval Academy in 1986. At the Naval Academy, R.J. earned his Varsity Letter on the Navy Lacrosse team. A unrecruited, walk-on for the lacrosse team, R.J. pioneered the path for many future Bay Shore lacrosse players and from 1986 through 2004 there was a Bay Shore alumni on the Navy Lacrosse team. Graduating in May 1990 with his Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Ensign Roberts chose to be a Surface Warfare Officer and went back to Newport, RI where he attended Surface Warfare Officer School, Steam Engineering Officer of the Watch School, and Communications Officer Afloat School. In between schools, R.J. received TAD orders to NAPS where he became an assistant coach for the NAPS Lacrosse team. A crowning achievement to R.J.'s lacrosse career, NAPS defeated Army Prep to extend R.J.'s record against Army to 6-0!! Ensign Roberts then shipped off to Red Sea where he caught up with his assigned ship, the USS Dale (CG-19) who had left port while R.J. was still in Newport for Desert Storm. He completed the remaining 5 months of the Dale's 6 month deployment as the ship's Machinery Division Officer. The Dale performed 2 counter-drug operations ibn the Caribbean and another 6-month deployment to the Mediterranean in support of Bosnia. This deployment, Lieutenant Junior Grade Roberts was the ships Fire Control Officer. The Dale came home only to be decommissioned and Lieutenant Roberts and the Dale left active duty on the same day. R.J. continued his Navy career by joining the Navy Reserves. As a Lieutenant Commander R.J. was the Administrative and Training Officer for Afloat Training Group Mayport and the USS Doyle (FFG-39) Augment Unit. R.J. was most proud to serve in many leading positions in support of 6 New York Fleet Weeks including a 6-month TAD assignment as Operations Officer. Promoted to Commander, R.J. served as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer for USS Klakring (FFG-45) Augment Unit, Amphibious Group Two, Fleet Forces Command Maritime Operations Center where he supported the recovery efforts in New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, and Military Sealift Command Headquarters. In June 2018, Commander R.J. Roberts retired from the Navy Reserves and was recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal for his 28 years of dedicated service. R.J. also earned 3 Navy Commendation Medals and 4 Navy Achievement Medals.