Rear Admiral Derek Trinque is the Director of Strategic Plans, Policy, and Logistics at U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. USTRANSCOM conducts globally integrated mobility operations, leads the broader Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise, and provides enabling capabilities that project and sustain the Joint Force in support of national objectives.

Rear Adm. Derek Trinque is a native of Holliston, Massachusetts and a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He also holds master degrees in International Business from the University of Maryland and in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

A career surface warfare officer, he has served on board guided missile cruisers, guided missile destroyers, and coastal minehunters. His afloat commands include USS Normandy (CG 60), USS O’Kane (DDG 77), and Coastal Minehunter Crews Valor and Excel (including command of USS Osprey (MHC 51), USS Cardinal (MHC 60), USS Shrike (MHC 62), USS Robin (MHC 54), and USS Pelican (MHC 53)).

Ashore, Trinque has served as director, Surface Officer Distribution Division (PERS-41) at Navy Personnel Command; branch head for Integrated Air and Missile Defense in the Surface Warfare Directorate of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Staff (OPNAV N96); and branch head for Ballistic Missile Defense Policy Branch of the Joint Staff’s Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5). He completed a previous tour as a Surface Warfare Assignments officer in PERS-41. His first shore tour was as a Seamanship and Navigation instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he also qualified as an officer in charge of the Naval Academy’s 108-foot Yard Patrol training craft.

Trinque’s first assignment as a flag officer was as assistant commander, Navy Personnel Command for Career Management (PERS-4) in Millington, Tennessee. His most recent assignment before USTRANSCOM was commanding Expeditionary Strike Group SEVEN/Amphibious Force SEVENTH Fleet, which he assumed in June 2022. In this role, he was responsible for Amphibious, Mine, and Littoral Warfare operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

His awards include the Legion of Merit (five awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (six awards).