Lieutenant Drew A. Tribble was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota in 1984. In 2005, he enlisted
in the Navy and attended Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon graduation, he was sent to
train at the Nuclear Field A School and Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Charleston, South
Carolina. It was here that he earned his rating as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate. His next duty
station was the Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) in Ballston Spa, New York where he
completed nuclear power training program. Following the completion of the course, Lieutenant
Tribble, then Petty Officer Tribble, was selected to remain at NPTU as an instructor. On
Christmas Day, 2007, he reenlisted and was promoted to Second Class Petty Officer.
In 2008, Lieutenant Tribble was selected for the Seaman-To-Admiral 21 (STA-21) program. This
led him to Newport, Rhode Island where he attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI). Upon
graduation from NSI, in April of 2009, he reported to NROTC Purdue University in West
Lafayette, Indiana. While at Purdue, Lieutenant Tribble advanced to the rate of First Class Petty
Officer. He graduated from Purdue with a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering and commissioned as a
Naval Officer in May of 2012.
In June of 2012, Lieutenant Tribble reported to the USS Dewey (DDG 105), based out of San
Diego, California where he served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. It was at this
command that he earned his Surface Warfare Officer pin. After a successful tour on Dewey,
Lieutenant Tribble received orders sending him back to Charleston, South Carolina to attend
Advanced NPS. After graduating with honors, he reported to Ballston Spa, New York to qualify
Engineering Officer of the Watch at NPTU. In August of 2016 Lieutenant Tribble reported to the
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), based out of Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Reactor
Mechanical Division Officer and the Reactor Auxiliaries Division Officer. During his tour,
Lieutenant Tribble was recognized as the Propulsion Plant Watch Officer of the Year and he
earned the Admiral’s Coin for superior performance on the Prospective Nuclear Engineering
Officer Exam.
In August of 2018, Lieutenant Tribble reported to NROTC Iowa State University and is now
serving as the unit’s Surface Warfare Officer and class advisor of freshman and sophomore
Navy option midshipmen.
Lieutenant Tribble’s personal awards include: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal,
two Navy Achievement Medals, two Good Conduct Medals, and the Outstanding Volunteer
Service Medal.