Commander Roy Love ’88, assumed command of the USS BOONE on June 4, 2010, making him the first Dominican-American to become captain of a Navy ship.
Roy received his Naval commission in 1993. He has completed multiple deployments and has held roles such as combat systems officer, communications officer and executive officer on a counter narcotics/anti-terrorism deployment.
In November 2007, Roy attended the Naval War College in Newport Rhode Island, where he earned a master of arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, and completed his joint professional military education.
Roy has received awards including the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Roy was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the United States in 1983 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1988. He attended the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program in San Diego California in 1989, and was awarded a four year NROTC scholarship to attend the State University of New York Maritime Academy, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation and business administration.
He received his Naval commission in 1993. His first tour of duty was aboard USS Gallery (FFG 26), where he served from 1993 to 1995 as communications officer and later, ordnance officer. On board Gallery, Roy completed a Persian Gulf deployment, and subsequently deployed to the Caribbean during Operation Support Democracy. In September 1996, Roy reported to the USS Cape St George (CG 71) as the damage control assistant, where he completed a Baltic Operations deployment.
In March 1998, Roy reported to COMNAVBEACHGROUP TWO and served as Maritime Pre-positioned Forces Officer, where he planned and executed joint CNBG2 and II Marine Expeditionary Forces Maritime Preposition Force operations during exercises Dynamic Mix, Bright Star, and Baltic Challenge.
In February 2001, Roy reported to USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 32) as combat systems officer, where he completed a highly successful counter-narcotics/anti- terrorism deployment to the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.
Following his tour on Groves, Roy reported to COMDESRON 26 in October 2002 to serve as combat systems officer, where he completed a deployment to the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS George Washington. Following his tour at CDS 26, Roy reported to COMSEVENTHFLT in Yokosuka, Japan to serve as the fleet scheduler for the forward deployed Naval Forces from September 2004 until December 2005.
In April 2006, Roy reported to USS John L. Hall (FFG 29) as executive officer. Aboard John L. Hall, Roy deployed to the Caribbean and South Pacific on a counter-narcotics, anti-terrorism deployment, and completed a Neptune Warrior exercise. In November 2007, Roy attended the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he earned a master of arts degree in national security and strategic studies, and completed his Joint professional military education.
Following his tour at the War College, Roy deployed to Iraq on an individual assignment in support of the ARMY 304th Sustainment Brigade stationed at Joint Base Balad as team leader of the Navy’s petroleum oil and lubricant (POL) detachment from May to October 2008.
Roy’s awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), the Army Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal, and various unit and service awards. Roy is married to the former Rosmery Rodriguez, of New York, N.Y. They have a baby daughter, Gabriella. Roy also has two teenage children, Bruce and Yvana.
