HONORING CAPTAIN STEPHEN C. DUBA, JR. ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVY

On 2026-06-08, Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING CAPTAIN STEPHEN C. DUBA, JR. ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVY" in the House.

HONORING CAPTAIN STEPHEN C. DUBA, JR. ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E539] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING CAPTAIN STEPHEN C. DUBA, JR. ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES NAVY _____ HON. AARON BEAN of florida in the house of representatives Monday, June 8, 2026 Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Stephen C. Duba, Jr. upon his retirement from the United States Navy after 25 years of honorable service to our Nation. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Captain Duba has lived a life shaped by service, sacrifice, and devotion to country. Raised in a Navy family, he graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management, as well as a U.S. Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer's License for vessels of unlimited tonnage. He later earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Throughout his distinguished career, Captain Duba served around the world in sea and shore assignments involving explosive ordnance disposal, diving, mine countermeasures, weapons technical exploitation, and strategic naval operations. His service included assignments aboard USS Sentry, with EOD Mobile Unit SIX, at Kings Bay Submarine Base, with Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN, at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit, with Expeditionary Exploitation Unit ONE, and in command of EOD Mobile Unit EIGHT in Rota, Spain. Across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific, Captain Duba led sailors in complex and dangerous missions that strengthened our national security and supported our allies and partners. From August 2023 to July 2026, Captain Duba completed his final tour as Commanding Officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division and Director for Joint EOD Technology. In that role, he led one of the Navy's most critical commands, supporting research, development, testing, evaluation, engineering, manufacturing, explosive ordnance disposal, and weapons technical exploitation for U.S. and allied forces. Under his leadership, the command advanced the Navy's Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan, helping strengthen the Nation's munitions industrial base. Captain Duba is designated as an EOD Warfare Officer, Surface Warfare Officer, Diving Officer, and Naval Parachutist. These qualifications reflect not only his technical expertise, but also his courage, discipline, and commitment to leading from the front. Mr. Speaker, military service is never carried by the service member alone. Captain Duba's wife, Kristine, and children, Charlie, Tommy, and Lilly, served alongside him through every assignment, every deployment, and every sacrifice required of a Navy family. Their love and support helped make his extraordinary career possible. On behalf of Florida's 4th Congressional District and a grateful Nation, I congratulate Captain Stephen C. Duba, Jr. on his retirement from the United States Navy. We thank him for his faithful service, commend his outstanding career, and wish him and his family fair winds and following seas. ____________________