
Director, Strategic Planning and Communication
Submarine Warfare Division
Chief of Naval Operations Staff
Rear Admiral Yurina hails from Pompano Beach, Fla. and is a 1978 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Following nuclear propulsion training and basic submarine school, he reported to USS Sturgeon (SSN 637) where he completed submarine warfare and nuclear engineer officer qualification. Yurina then reported to commander Submarine Squadron 18 as Submarine Performance Monitoring Team leader prior to transition to the Navy Reserve in 1985.
Yurina has completed Navy Reserve assignments supporting assistant chief of Naval Operations (Undersea Warfare); USS L.Y. Spear (AS 36); Submarine Squadron 8; Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic; commander Submarine Force (Headquarters and Battle Group Staff); Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation; and National Defense University. He served in command of five Reserve units. Following a tour as Reserve chief of staff, Submarine Force, he served as vice commander, Submarine Force from August 2008 to September 2009.
Complementing his uniformed military service, Yurina joined the Naval Sea Systems Command as a civilian in 1986 and served in a variety of submarine engineering, financial management, acquisition reform, knowledge management, Reserve coordination, and acquisition policy roles until 2003. Yurina is currently employed by the Transportation Security Administration. He has achieved level 3 program management certifications in DoD and the Department of Homeland Security.
Yurina’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and various other personal and service awards. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Naval Architecture, a Masters of Public Administration and a Masters of Science in National Resource Strategy. He is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Defense Acquisition University Senior Acquisition Course.
Photos by Minerva Bloom