Cmdr. Brian M. Salter
Commanding Officer, Naval Information Warfare Training Group (NIWTG) San Diego
20 July 2021
Cmdr. Brian M. Salter, a native of Tacoma, Wash., graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1993. Cmdr. Salter enlisted in the Navy in May 1995 as a Cryptologic Technician Communications and reported to his first duty station aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) in San Diego, Calif., in January 1996. During this tour, he earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualification and deployed to the Persian Gulf on Boxer’s maiden cruise. His next duty station was at Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Yokosuka, Japan, where he was an instructor in the Cryptologic Readiness Group and was designated as a Master Training Specialist. He then reported to Fleet Intelligence Training Center Pacific in San Diego, where he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and completed a Bachelor of Science in Computer Studies from University of Maryland University College. During his next tour at NSGA Hawaii, he served as a Communications Watch Chief and received his commission as a Limited Duty Cryptologic Officer.
Following his commissioning, Cmdr. Salter reported in August 2005 aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5), where he served as the OT Division Officer, completing his Officer of the Deck (underway) qualification, Surface Warfare Officer qualification, and two Western Pacific & Persian Gulf deployments. In June 2008, he reported to Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Whidbey Island, Washington, where he served as Fleet Operations Department Head and completed his Information Warfare Officer qualification. In September 2011, he deployed to Bagram and Herat, Afghanistan for an assignment with the Afghan Threat Finance Cell.
Following his deployment to Afghanistan, Cmdr. Salter reported to NIOC Norfolk, Va., as the Electronic Warfare Technical Guidance Unit Department Head. During this tour, he supported Commander Carrier Strike Group FOUR with unit-level Intermediate Phase deployment certification for Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare and was selected as NIOC Norfolk’s 2013 Junior Officer of the Year. In February 2015, he reported to the U.S. Naval War College attending the College of Naval Command & Staff, earning a Master of Arts Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies and Joint Professional Military Education Phase One. In March 2016, he reported to U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha, Nebraska, serving as the Cyber Intelligence Analysis Branch Chief and Executive Assistant to the USSTRATCOM Director of Intelligence. In March 2018, he reported to Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center as the Executive Officer. Following his tour XO tour, he reported in March 2020 to Carrier Strike Group FIVE (CSG-5) as Assistant Chief of Staff N9 for Information Operations & Electronic Warfare embarked USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. In June 2021, Cmdr. Salter transferred from CSG-5 and is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of Naval Information Warfare Training Group San Diego.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal (seven awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards. He is also a 2017 recipient of the Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton Award for Leadership and Mentorship.