CAPT Ben Van Buskirk, on Naval Innovation and Improvisational Music

CAPT Van Buskirk was born and raised in Menlo Park, CA. He attended the University of Arizona, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance in 1998 and his commission in January, 1999. He attended naval flight training in Pensacola, Florida, graduating with distinction in September, 2000. After advanced training in Coronado, CA he was qualified as an SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk pilot. 

At sea, CAPT Van Buskirk served as Commanding Officer and Executive Officer of the “World Famous Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 in Atsugi, Japan. During this tour, his command earned his 3rd “Battle E” and the  Secretary of Defense Phoenix award for the best maintenance practices in the Department of  Defense. Prior to HSC-12, he served with the “Chargers” of HS-14 in Atsugi, Japan. During this tour he earned his second “Battle E” and participated in OPERATION TOMODACHI relief  operations. Prior to arriving at HS-14, he served with Expeditionary Sea Combat Unit ONE as  Director of Operations, where he flew multiple combat missions in support of JOINT SPECIAL  OPERATIONS TASK FORCE - PHILIPPINES. Prior to arriving at HS-14, he served with the  “Dusty Dogs” of HS-7 in Jacksonville. During this tour he deployed in support of OPERATION  IRAQI FREEDOM, where his squadron earned the “Battle E”.  

Ashore, he served as a Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow at VMware, Inc. in Palo Alto, CA,  where he worked with senior executives on business strategy and technology innovation. He  also served on the Joint Staff, J-3 Directorate at the National Military Command Center,  Washington D.C. as Presidential Strike Advisor, and Assistant Deputy Director for Operations. Prior to arriving at the NMCC, he served as Aide to Commander, Navy Region Hawaii in Pearl  Harbor, Hawaii. Prior to that, he served as an FRS Instructor Pilot in Coronado, CA.  

Prior to assuming his role as Director of NavalX, CAPT Van Buskirk served as a founding  member of the Strategic Warfighting Innovation Cell, OPNAV N7 Warfighting Development  Directorate, Washington, D.C.  

He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Defense Focus) from Naval  Postgraduate School at Monterey, California, and has completed executive programs at Harvard  Business School (Entrepreneurship) and University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business (Finance, Marketing, and Business Strategy). CAPT Van Buskirk has over 3,000 flight hours in  the SH/MH/HH-60 and holds numerous personal and unit level awards.