Lieutenant Commander Thelmar A. Rosarda

LCDR Thelmar Rosarda, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a former U.S. Navy Federal Executive Fellow assigned to the Center for a New American Security. After enlisting, he reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Five (HSC 25) as an Information Systems Technician. He then received a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship and commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in 2009.

Afloat, he has deployed worldwide and conducted operations on ships including USS De Wert (FFG 45) with Standing NATO Maritime Group One and Counter-Piracy Task Force 151, USS Stockdale (DDG 106) with Carrier Strike Group Three, USS Somerset (LPD 25) with Amphibious Squadron Three and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. His billets included Electrical Officer, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Boarding Officer, and Chief Engineer. On watch, he served as Officer of the Deck, Plant Control Officer, Senior Watch Officer, and Tactical Action Officer.

From 2021-2023, he was the Commanding Officer of USS Thunderbolt (PC 12) operating under U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. As the senior ship captain, he was assigned as Surface Action Group Commander for Navy Cyclone-class and Coast Guard Sentinel-class ships during special task force missions. At the conclusion of his command, USS Thunderbolt was awarded the Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic’s Excellence in Unit Tactics for actions including the rescue of a US Saildrone captured by Iran.

Ashore, LCDR Rosarda was assigned as an Officer-In-Charge/Craftmaster on Yard Patrol Crafts and the Commandant’s Staff at the United States Naval Academy, Engineering Assessor at Engineering Assessments Pacific, and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations for Surface Warfare Division (OPNAV N96) and Warfighter Development (OPNAV N71).

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the Virginia Military Institute, Master of Science in Engineering Systems from the Naval Postgraduate School, Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies (Indo-Pacific Focus) from the Naval War College, and Joint Professional Military Education Phase I from the College of Naval Command and Staff.

LCDR Rosarda’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Battle Efficiency (4 awards), and multiple other unit and service awards. He is an elected member of the Surface Navy Association Board of Directors.