LT Nick Gioia, USN
Lieutenant Nick Gioia was born in southern California and raised in Medford, Oregon. He graduated with honors from the University of Oregon in 2017, where he double-majored in Political Science and Russian Studies. In 2018, he was commissioned through Officer Candidate School as a Surface Warfare Officer.
For his first tour, he served as the Strike Warfare Officer onboard USS COLE (DDG-67) out of Norfolk, Virginia. Following this, he served as the Damage Control Assistant onboard the forward-deployed minesweeper USS PATRIOT (MCM-7), homeported in Sasebo, Japan. While onboard PATRIOT, he supported six multinational exercises in the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. In 2022, he was selected as the Mine Countermeasures Squadron Seven Junior Officer Tactician of the Year.
Lieutenant Gioia reported to the Naval ROTC Unit at Yale University as the Surface Warfare Officer in February, 2024.
Lieutenant Gioia’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and other unit and campaign awards.
In 2021, Lieutenant Gioia married his wife, Caitlyn Gioia of Chincoteague Island, Virginia. They live with their cat, River, in Branford, CT.
LT Ryan Buck, USN
Submarine Warfare Officer | Nuclear Power Officer: ryan.buck@yale.edu
Lieutenant Ryan C. Buck was born and raised in Westerville, OH. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University and commissioned from their NROTC Unit in May 2018 as a Submarine Warfare Officer.
Lieutenant Buck completed the nuclear training pipeline at Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Power Training Unit abord the MTS-626 in Charleston, SC. Following Prototype, he reported to Submarine Officer basic Course in Groton, CT.
He received orders and reported to his first boat, USS MICHIGAN (SSGN-727) BLUE in Bangor, WA in November of 2019. Onboard MICHIGAN, he served as the Electrical Assistant, Special Operations Forces Division Officer, Quality Assurance Officer and Assistant Engineer. He completed a Major CNO Availability and Sea Trials on MICHIGAN. Additionally, he augmented the crew of the USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22) and completed a WESTPAC deployment supporting a mission vital to national security.
In August of 2022, Lieutenant Buck reported to the Naval ROTC Unit at Yale University as the Submarine Warfare Officer and Nuclear Programs Officer.
Lieutenant Buck’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and other unit and campaign awards.
Lieutenant Buck married his wife, Emily Buck, of Westerville, Ohio in 2021.
Capt Ratsamy May, USMC
Marine Officer Instructor: ratsamy.may@yale.edu
Captain Ratsamy J. May is a native of Sacramento, California. She enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 2002 and reported to recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. Upon graduation of recruit training, she reported to Marine Combat Training and was assigned the military occupational specialty of 0613, Construction Wireman. Private First Class Bouttavong reported to Lackland Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base to attend the Electronic Principles Course and Cable and Antenna Systems Course respectively. Upon completion of the courses, Lance Corporal Bouttavong reported to 7th Communications Battalion in Okinawa, Japan in April 2003, but was augmented to the Marksmanship Training Unit and received the additional military occupational specialty of Primary Marksmanship Instructor.
In April 2004, Corporal Bouttavong transferred to 1st Force Service Support Group, Communications Company, Wire Platoon aboard Camp Pendlenton, CA and served as a Wireman. From August 2004 to March 2005, Corporal Bouttavong deployed with Communications Company in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in the Al Anbar Province. From March 2006 to March 2007, Sergeant Bouttavong deployed again in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and served as the Wire Chief and Convoy Commander. Sergeant Bouttavong was selected as the Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for 1st Marine Logistics Group in 2006. In April 2007, Sergeant May reported to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX to serve as a Cable Antenna Instructor and received two Associates in Applied Science Degrees in Instructor of Technology and Military Science and Electronic Systems Technology. In September 2009, Sergeant May reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Beaufort, SC to serve as a Drill Instructor. During her time as a Drill Instructor, she was twice selected as the Drill Instructor of the Quarter in 2010, nominated for Drill Instructor of the Year in 2010 and Senior Drill Instructor of the Quarter in 2011. Staff Sergeant May then reported to 9th Communications Battalion, Alpha Company, Wire Platoon aboard Camp Pendleton, CA in January 2013. Staff Sergeant May as accepted into the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education program in 2013 and reported to the University of San Diego NROTC. Staff Sergeant May graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Criminology and Justice Studies.
Second Lieutenant May commissioned in December 2015 and received orders to The Basic School in June 2016 and was subsequently assigned to the Aviation Intelligence Officer Course aboard the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Dam Neck, VA in January 2017. She then reported to Marine Aircraft Group 16 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA in April 2017. Second Lieutenant May then received temporary assignment to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 to serve as the Intelligence Officer for the deployment as Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE from April 2017 until May 2018. In June 2018, First Lieutenant May was then temporarily assigned to Task Force Spartan to complete a deployment in Al Anbar Province in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE. While assigned to Task Force Spartan, she served as the Future Operations Officer, Convoy Commander, Watch Officer, Base Defense Coordinator, and the liaison between American, Coalition, and partner forces. First Lieutenant May returned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 in November 2019 and in January 2020, she received temporary assignment to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362 as the Intelligence Officer to prepare the intelligence section for the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command deployment.
While serving as the Intelligence Officer for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362, Captain May was selected to serve as the Marine Officer Instructor at Yale University.
Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, and Good Conduct Medal with three bronze stars in lieu of fourth award.
GySgt Chaz King, USMC
Assistant Marine Officer Instructor: chaz.king@yale.edu
Gunnery Sergeant Chaz C. King was born on 26 September 1989, in Shelby, North Carolina. He reported to Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, June 2008, was meritoriously promoted, and graduated September 2008. Private First Class King then reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Private First Class King then attended Military Occupational Specialty School for Basic Combat Engineer in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Subsequent to completing training, PFC King was assigned to Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty.
PFC King was promoted to Lance Corporal in August 2009. LCpl King deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Regimental Combat Team 2 from January 2010 to August 2010. Lance Corporal King was promoted to Corporal in November 2010. From July 2011 to November 2011, Corporal King deployed in support of Korean Integrated Training Program with Engineer Company, 8th ESB. Corporal King was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant in November 2012.
In May of 2013, Sergeant King reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 3. In June 2014, Sergeant King reported to Sergeant’s Resident Course where he was nominated as the Honor Graduate by the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Sergeant King served as Squad Leader, Construction Chief, and Platoon Sergeant for Combat Engineer platoon, Engineer Support Company, CLB-3 in support of 3rd Marine Regiment during continuous rotations of Lava Viper, Integrated Training Exercises, and Unit Deployment Program Hawaii from July 2014 to March 2016. In February 2016, Sergeant King competed in the Competitive Marksmanship in Arms Program and was selected to represent Marine Corps Base Hawaii in competitive shooting matches earning individual rifle, pistol, and team rifle badges during Pacific Division competition. Sergeant King reported to Drill Instructor School, Parris Island, South Carolina, in April of 2016.
Sergeant King reported to Recruit Training Regiment in August 2016 and was assigned to Bravo Company, First Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor. Sergeant King was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in October 2017. Staff Sergeant King then served exclusively as Disposition Chief, Family Readiness Officer, Substance Abuse Counseling Officer, Alcohol Screening Program Coordinator, and Community Counseling Program Coordinator simultaneously. Staff Sergeant King was assigned to Company C, where he served as Senior Drill Instructor. Staff Sergeant King was selected as Senior Drill Instructor of the RTR, Eastern Recruiting Region in April, 2019.
In August 2019, Staff Sergeant King reported to 2D Combat Engineer Battalion and assigned to Company A. Staff Sergeant King completed Combat Engineer Platoon Sergeant’s course in December 2019. Upon completion of training, Staff Sergeant King served as Platoon Guide in direct support of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment during Unit Deployment Program 20.2. Staff Sergeant King was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in May 2021 and served as the Platoon Sergeant for Alpha Company 1st Platoon in support of 2d Marine Regiment.
Gunnery Sergeant King’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and Drill Instructor Ribbon.
Gunnery Sergeant Sergeant King is married to Jeanne King and has two children; Ian D. King (13) and Leilani L. King (9).