CT's Role in Undersea Power with Rear Admiral Michael Van Poots

In partnership with The World Affairs Council of Connecticut, we welcome Rear Admiral Michael Van Poots, the Commander of the Navy’s Undersea Warfighting Development Center in Groton, CT. Learn about the future of undersea warfighting and Connecticut’s critical contributions to naval innovations. Megan Torrey, Chief Executive Officer, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, will moderate the discussion.

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The Undersea Warfighting Development Center, also known as the Navy’s “Top Gun” for submariners, is based in Groton, CT and leads the Navy’s innovation in undersea warfighting tactics and tech. The discussion takes a deep dive into everything from submarine innovation in Connecticut to the Navy’s role in securing global trade routes and ensuring the U.S. stays one step ahead of its adversaries.

Rear Admiral Michael R. Van Poots is a native of Sparta, NJ. He received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Troy, NY, in 1995. He is a Level II Joint Qualified Officer.

His flag officer tours include Deputy Commander Submarine Force Atlantic, Deputy Commander Submarine Force Pacific, Airborne Emergency Action Officer (AEAO) at U.S. Strategic Command for Operation LOOKING GLASS, and in August 2024 he assumed his current duties as Commander Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Groton, CT.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He has served with crews that have earned the Navy Battle Efficiency ‘E’ award, and various service, expeditionary, unit and campaign awards.

Megan Clark Torrey, Chief Executive Officer, World Affairs Council of Connecticut | Community Ambassador, U.S. Navy, CT

In addition to her work at the World Affairs council, she is the host of the CTWAC web show and podcast State of the World where she interviews some of the world’s most influential speakers. In 2016, she founded the Global Security Forum – a globally recognized forum for defense and security hosted annually in Hartford, CT.  In 2022 Megan participated in the Secretary of Defense Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC93) and in 2023 was nominated by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to be the first U.S. Navy Community Ambassador to the state of Connecticut. Megan holds two degrees in International Relations and Diplomacy. 

The Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC) was established to enhance fleet undersea warfighting capabilities and readiness across the theater, operational, and tactical levels of war. The mission is to lead Undersea Superiority, enabling decisive effects from or in the undersea domain when and where the operational commander directs.