Captain Nathan Hardy is a Pacific Northwest native and attended Oregon State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Following his graduation in March 2002, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy through the NROTC program. In 2020, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Washington State University.
After completing Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island in 2002, CDR Hardy reported to his first assignment on USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37) in Pearl Harbor. He served his first two division officer tours as the Electrical Officer and Training Officer and quickly earned the designation as a Surface Warfare Officer.
CAPT Hardy deployed twice in support of counter narcotics operations in the Southeast Pacific. He was released from active duty in 2005 and transferred to the Selected Reserve where he was assigned as a Research Liaison Officer in the Office of Naval Research/Naval Research Laboratory Unit 115. He supported the evaluation of test range facilities to support the Electromagnetic Railgun program. CAPT Hardy deployed as an Individual Augmentee in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2007. He served as the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix Resident Engineer in Northern Afghanistan where he coordinated US and multinational military mentoring and reconstruction efforts. In 2010, he was granted a change of designator to the Civil Engineer Corps. He was subsequently assigned to NMCB 18 and served as the Training Officer and Alpha Company Commander where he earned his Seabee Combat Warfare qualification. Follow on assignments included the Officer-in-Charge of the Reserve Component Augment Unit at Naval Construction Group ONE in 2013, action officer at US Pacific Command supporting Operations, Plans and Readiness functions in the J44 Engineering Division, and as Contingency Engineer Response Team Officer-in-Charge with NAVFAC Contingency Engineering Unit. In 2018 he completed a deployment as the Force Engineer for the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, overseeing US military construction, leasing and humanitarian aid projects in East Africa. From 2020 to 2022 he mobilized to serve as Operations Officer at Officer-in-Charge of Construction China Lake where he was responsible for execution of the $2.7 billion Earthquake Recovery Program at NAWS China Lake. In July 2024 he was then mobilized to serve as Resident Officer-in-Charge of Construction China Lake after the OICC was disestablished.
After his initial release from active duty in 2005, Nathan joined Murraysmith, Inc. where he served as a senior engineer, branch manager and firm shareholder in Everett, WA. In 2020, he joined NAVFAC where he served as Supervisory General Engineer at Officer-in-Charge of Construction China Lake. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Washington, Project Management Professional, and a member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). His personal military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, and various other personal, campaign and unit awards. He was also recognized as the 2021 SAME Adm. Ben Moreell award winner.
Last Updated: 3 December 2024