The first ship I served on was USS STETHEM (DDG 63), when she was one of the newest ships in the fleet. I was on her initial deployment in 1997 as CTR3 Abramowitz. I am in San Diego this week on leave and reached out to request a visit of STETHEM and want to thank her CO, CDR Mike Walker, and all the “Steelworkers” who welcomed me aboard. Very gracious and accommodating for a sentimental return for CAPT Abramowitz nearly 30 years later. It was a great moment of reflection and I wish all past, present, and future DDG 63 Steelworkers the best – STEADFAST AND COURAGEOUS!

Capt. Brad Abramowitz’s bio:


Captain Brad “A-Z” Abramowitz
Deputy Director of Operations
National Security Agency, Georgia

Captain Abramowitz was born at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, but spent most of his youth in Spring, Texas. He is an Information Warfare Officer with a Cryptologic Warfare designation specialty. He enlisted in the Navy in 1995 as a Cryptologic Technician (CTR). He attended Texas Tech University and American Military University, holding a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master’s in Military History. He was commissioned in 2003 in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

While enlisted, he served at Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA), Kunia Hawaii. He deployed aboard USS STETHEM (DDG 63) and completed seven Pacific Fleet subsurface missions. Following completion of active service in 2000 he entered college full-time but continued to serve as an enlisted member of the Navy Reserve with NSGA San Antonio, Texas.

Following commissioning in 2003, he volunteered for mobilization service with Naval Security Group HQ, Naval Forces Europe/U.S. SIXTH Fleet, and Navy Information Operations Command, Texas. He was permanently recalled to active duty in 2008.

Prior to joining NSA Georgia his tours include Information Warfare Officer for USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), Cryptologic Officer Training Department Head for the Center for Information Dominance Corry Station, Cryptologic Resource Coordinator (CRC) & Deputy Information Warfare Commander (DIWC) for Amphibious Squadron FIVE, CRC for U.S. THIRD Fleet, Executive Aide to the Deputy Chief of the Central Security Service at National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS), Assistant Chief of Staff for Integrated Fires & DIWC for Carrier Strike Group ONE, and Senior Mentor for Non-Kinetic Integrated Fires at Tactical Training Group, Pacific.

His awards and decorations include the Information Warfare Officer Pin, Surface Warfare Officer Pin, Enlisted Submarine Warfare Pin, Royal Australian Navy Silver Commendation, plus other personal and unit awards.

Captain Abramowitz enjoys his free time doing activities with his family. He has been married to the former Erika Marron of Lima, Peru for 24 years. They have two adult children, a son Blake (22), who works with the San Diego Superior Court while preparing for law school and a daughter Camila (19), who majors in Biopsychology as pre-med student at the University of California, Santa Barbara.