STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. ——Recently, U.S. Navy Captain  Erin ‘E O’ Acosta joined the U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command’s (Naval Oceanography) workforce-family as the new Chief of Staff.

Previously, Acosta was the Commanding Officer at Fleet Weather Center-Norfolk (FWC-N) where her leadership marshaled support during 16 major hurricanes, and other major operations like the Chinese balloon recovery; all while overcoming challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Naval Oceanography workforce here [Stennis Space Center] is highly-talented, so I am sure whatever is on-the-horizon for our operations is nothing but success,” Acosta said. “I am honored to act in a leadership capacity and to be a part of this team.”

Read more below about U.S. Navy Captain Erin Acosta’s thorough Navy career!

U.S. Navy Captain Erin Acosta’s Professional Biography
A native of Mechanicsburg, PA, Captain Acosta was commissioned through the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000.

Captain Acosta served four years at sea, including a tour as First Lieutenant aboard USS Decatur (DDG 73) and a tour as staff oceanographer, scheduler, and staff navigator for Carrier Strike Group TWO (CSG 2), embarked on USS George H. W. Bush.

Shore tours include Forecast Duty Officer and Command Duty Officer at the Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Rota, Spain; Joint Meteorology and Oceanography Officer at Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa as an Individual Augmentee; Requirements Officer for the ISR Capabilities Division, Chief of Naval Operations Staff (OPNAV N2N6F2); Deputy Executive Assistant to the Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy (OPNAV N2N6E); Executive Officer, Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center; and Senior OCEANO Assignments / Placement Officer. She also completed a special assignment as an associate fellow on the CNO’s Strategic Studies Group (SSG) in Newport, Rhode Island.

CAPT Acosta commanded Fleet Weather Center Norfolk and the Naval Oceanography Antisubmarine Warfare Center, Yokosuka, Japan.

Education includes a B.S. in Physical Oceanography from the U.S. Naval Academy, and an M.S. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Personal awards include Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various campaign and unit awards.

CAPT Acosta is married to Mr. Dave Acosta of Annapolis, MD. They have two daughters. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process, and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions faster than the adversary.