OFFICER-IN-CHARGE’S BIO

Commander Franklin R. Sarra, Jr.

 

A native of Canton, MA, Commander Sarra is the third consecutive generation of his family in the naval service. 

 

Commander Sarra graduated from Boston College in 1987. He was commissioned a Supply Corps officer in November 1988 at OCS, Newport, RI.

 

Commander Sarra’s initial assignment was on USS SOUTH CAROLINA (CGN 37) as Disbursing/Sales Officer and Food Service Officer.  He completed two counter-narcotics deployments to the Caribbean and later a Mediterranean/Red Sea deployment as part of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD in 1991.   While onboard, Commander Sarra earned his Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer qualification and was augmented to the regular Navy.

 

Following his tour on USS SOUTH CAROLINA, Commander Sarra reported to Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters, where he served as a Navy Acquisition Contracting Officer intern.  He was assigned to the Tomahawk cruise missile, an ACAT 1 level program.  CDR Sarra is DAWIA Level III certified and a member of the Acquisition Professional Community.

 

Commander Sarra next reported for duty on USS FLETCHER (DD 992) as Supply Officer in April 1995.  Homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI, CDR Sarra completed a Middle East Force deployment in 1997.  He was selected for promotion to LCDR and next attended the U.S. Naval War College, earning a Masters degree and JPME Phase I.

 

Following postgraduate school, CDR Sarra served on the Force Supply Officer staff, Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet providing policy guidance to 115 surface combatants and developing the next generation of supply support.  He provided direct fleet support in the aftermath of both USS COLE and September 11, 2001.

 

Commander Sarra next served at Naval Inventory Control Point, developing experience in the aviation wholesale supply system, earning his second subspecialty in supply chain management.  He additionally served as a contingency contracting officer during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003. 

 

Commander Sarra subsequently served as Supply Officer, NAS Jacksonville, earning his Naval Aviation Supply Officer qualification in 2005.  He was next selected for Commander Sea duty assignment. 

 

Commander Sarra is currently serving as Commissioning Officer in Charge, USNS RICHARD E BYRD (T-AKE 4), the latest class of Combat Logistics Force vessel.