CAPT Pete Small was commissioned in 1995 from the NROTC at the University of Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He has also earned a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research in 2002 from Columbia University and a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Naval Engineer Degree in 2005 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Upon completion of Navy nuclear propulsion training in 1996, CAPT Small reported to USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686) where he conducted dry-deck shelter operations on two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.  He then served as Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College and Fordham University NROTC.  In 2005, CAPT Small reported to the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News, Virginia where he was the Assistant Project Officer for VIRGINIA Class submarine new construction and two LOS ANGELES Class submarine repair availabilities and completed an Individual Augmentation deployment to HQUSEUCOM in Stuttgart, Germany.  From 2008 to 2010 he served as Deputy Ship Design Manager and Aft Project Officer in the OHIO Replacement submarine program office (PMS397.) 

In 2010 CAPT Small was appointed Associate Professor of the Practice in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and served as the Academic Officer of the graduate Naval Construction and Engineering (Course 2N) curriculum.  From 2012-2015 he served as the PMS450 Program Manager’s Representative for VIRGINIA Class submarine construction at Supervisor of Shipbuilding Groton, Connecticut and delivered USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN784) to the Navy.  From 2015-2017 he served as the Assistant Program Manager for Acquisition in the Advanced Undersea Systems Program Office (PMS394) and successfully attained Milestone C and Initial Operational Capability for a Major Defense Acquisition Program.  In May of 2017 he reported as the Construction Manager for the COLUMBIA Class Submarine Program Office (PMS397.)  In June of 2018 he relieved as Major Program Manager of the Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office (PMS 406) in PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants.  He continues to teach Submarine Concept Design in the MIT Professional Summer program.

CAPT Small’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards.)

He is married to the former Stacy McLaurin of Burke, Virginia.  They have two daughters, Clara and Elena, and reside in Burke, Virginia.