Capt. Vicente C. Garcia, Jr., BSEE, '78

Capt. Vicente C. Garcia, Jr. graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University in 1978. He was then commissioned as an instructor at the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida. He earned a Master of Science in engineering from the University of Central Florida.  He was a 1972 graduate of Gadsden High School.

Garcia also attended the Naval Postgraduate School studying space systems engineering and graduating with distinction and a second Master of Science in electrical engineering. Garcia’s first space assignment was at the Naval Security Group Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

In 1989, Garcia worked for the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland, becoming a naval reservist.  He was assigned by the NSA to London, then reassigned as a visiting professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy.  In 1994, the NSA reassigned him as the visiting professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. 

Garcia was promoted to his current rank on March 1, 2000, and his decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hour Glass, Navy Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship Medals.