Capt. Eric J. Skalski, a Florida native, entered the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program in 1985 and initially served as a Machinist’s Mate at Submarine Base Pearl Harbor. In 1988, he completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S Class 153), beginning his distinguished career as a Navy SEAL.
Commissioned as a SEAL limited duty officer in 2002, he became an unrestricted line officer in 2012. His operational assignments include SEAL Team Three, SEAL Team Five, SEAL Team One, and Task Force Archipelago under Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. He also served as operations officer for Task Unit Trident in Afghanistan and as commander of Special Operations Command Forward-Mexico. Skalski has deployed to the Persian Gulf, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and the Pacific, where he led critical missions in support of U.S. strategic objectives.
His shore tours include roles at the Defense Language Institute, Naval Special Warfare Unit Eight, and Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command. He also served as deputy commander for Commander Task Force 66 and commanding officer of the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training Command, where he oversaw training efforts vital to partner nation forces.
As the longest-serving active-duty Navy SEAL, Skalski holds the title of Bull Frog, an honor recognizing his nearly 40 years of service. His awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.
I am most excited about the energy, enthusiasm, and differing perspectives that our students bring to NPS. Their unique backgrounds and warfighting experiences enhance the academic environment, fostering innovation and relevance. In turn, this dynamic exchange allows our faculty, staff, and professors to support each student in achieving their personal, professional, and academic goals.
NPS provides a critical environment for developing analytical thinking and applying new knowledge—an essential investment in our most valuable asset: our people. In Naval Special Warfare, as in any organization, remaining in a closed-loop environment limits exposure to broader expertise and innovation. NPS expands that horizon, equipping operators with broader perspectives and advanced problem-solving skills. Additionally, given NSW and SOF’s sustained high operational tempo, NPS offers a valuable opportunity for personal balance, allowing students to reconnect with family, friends, and personal interests.
Ukraine has demonstrated that a smaller, less-equipped force can achieve asymmetric advantage and impose costs on a stronger adversary. It has also underscored how warfare is rapidly evolving, with unmanned systems and AI shaping the battlefield in real time. At NPS, students—particularly our Kraken cohort—apply academic rigor to envision and develop innovative solutions for similar challenges. For forward-deployed units like Task Force 66, time to think critically is a scarce resource. Leveraging the collective brainpower of these warrior-scholars is a force multiplier, providing insights that directly inform and shape the future fight.
As Dean of Students, my role is to leverage my operational experience to foster a high-quality learning environment and ensure student research aligns with future warfighting needs. I strive to bring an informed perspective on what matters to operational commanders while recognizing the pressures and demands our service members face. My priority is our students, and I am committed to balancing advocacy with accountability—being both accessible and honest while upholding the standards that define NPS.
I support NPS students by balancing advocacy with accountability, ensuring they have the resources and guidance to succeed. Understanding the demands of operational service, I aim to create an environment where they can focus, think critically, and make the most of their time here to advance both their careers and the broader mission.
NPS plays a critical role in preparing students to lead through the evolving challenges of modern warfare. Beyond teaching technical skills, it fosters the ability to think critically, adapt, and apply knowledge to unpredictable environments. The real advantage isn’t just mastering current technologies or tactics—it’s developing the mindset to anticipate change, challenge assumptions, and solve problems in dynamic, high-stakes situations. By leveraging multiple perspectives, thorough research, and operationally relevant education, NPS equips students not just to keep up with change, but to anticipate and drive it.
Every assignment has reinforced how much there is still to learn. It is usually my most recent assignment, that I realize I’m never going to reach the end of the internet…especially those outside of my own community. I’m continually impressed by the capability and intellect of our young leaders, and despite recruitment and retention challenges, I believe our future is in good hands. That said, we must aggressively invest in our people. Not everyone will have the opportunity to attend a service college or earn additional qualifications, but as leaders, we must be vocal about our own professional development needs while actively supporting those of our subordinates. In short, we need to find a way to yes, despite operational demands and constraints.
First, I’ve learned that I don’t have all the answers—and that’s okay. Asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s essential. This became especially clear when I entered the Chief’s Mess, where mutual reliance wasn’t just encouraged, but expected. Second, no warfare community or specialty is inherently better than another. Success depends on cooperation and collaboration, especially in resource-constrained environments. Finally, never expect to have all the tools, funding, or manpower you need. Be grateful when you do but always prepare for worst-case scenarios. That’s where the first lesson comes in—lean on your team, adapt, and get the job done.
