Submitted by NAVAIR Public Affairs Office

Most seventh-graders don’t know what they are going to be doing after fifth period study hall, let alone have a plan for the rest of their lives and actually follow through with it. Twelve-year-old Michael Bachmann, however, discovered exactly what he wanted to do while on a field trip to a Grumman Aerospace plant on Long Island, N.Y., where he witnessed the actual construction of a NASA/Grumman Apollo Lunar Module. That day cemented in his mind what he was going to do for the rest of his life.

“That was an exciting and fortuitous event in my life and it resulted in an early decision that I wanted to pursue an aerospace engineering career,” said Bachmann, who is now a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy and took over as Vice Commander of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on March 8, 2005. Bachmann was the NAVAIR Assistant Commander for Logistics and Industrial Operations from February 2003, until he took over his new responsibilities earlier this month.

As a freshman in high school, he found out the Naval Academy had an aerospace engineering degree program, and he was hooked – in more ways than one. During his four years at Annapolis, he was a member of the boxing team and was the 1973 Brigade Boxing Champion.

“I certainly enjoyed my boxing experience at the Naval Academy and it taught me some valuable lessons that would keep me in good stead for life,” Bachmann said. “Boxing is a demanding and strenuous sport so you have to stay fit. I was in optimum shape at that time in my life. Since you can’t stay in that type of shape forever, I’ve learned it’s best to practice ‘bargaining skills’ rather than pick fights.”

Those skills have come in handy during his 31-year naval career and have taken him from an ensign to a rear admiral as he has traveled the globe.

According to Bachmann, his Navy journey has provided him with a wealth of experience gained from tours in the fleet; Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific staff; NAVAIR; Joint assignments; Space & Naval Warfare Systems Command; and the Pentagon.

“Returning to NAVAIR again in 2000 was like a homecoming,” said Bachmann, “because NAVAIR is a unique Command that is first and foremost focused on the War Fighter. Our Vision statement says it all: ‘We exist to provide cost-wise readiness and dominant maritime combat power to make a great Navy/Marine Corps team better.’ And, more importantly,” he added, “We are truly aligned with Commander, Naval Air Forces. VADM Massenburg’s leadership in evolving and strengthening the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) has certainly demonstrated that NAVAIR’s military and civilians remain ever vigilant to meeting the needs of our warfighters now and in the future.”

As Vice Commander of NAVAIR, Bachmann is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization.

“There is a transformation occurring at this time within NAVAIR,” he said. “It is exciting, and it will posture Naval aviation for the future! And, most importantly, our people are blazing this new frontier.

“As we grow our ‘Black Belts’ and implement AIRSpeed principals of Lean, Theory of Constraints and Six Sigma throughout every facet of our organization, we are setting the standard of excellence that will be recognized within DOD and industry,” he said.

“I am anxious to visit our fantastic workforce and will do so in the near future, in order to discuss these transformational endeavors that will directly benefit our warfighter.”

Throughout his military career, Bachmann said his wife, Iris, and their children, Scott and Brooke, have been a stabilizing force for him.

“They’ve been a most significant influence in my personal life and that has extended into my professional life,” said Bachmann, who cited retired ADCS George Dunster as one of the most important mentors who influenced his career.

“While onboard USS Ranger, my first ship assignment, Senior Chief Dunster took an ensign under his wing and showed me what our Navy was all about – our Sailors,” Bachmann said. “And, I’ve never forgotten that.”

“Since my first day in the Navy during the summer of 1970, the United States Navy has been a fantastic adventure. And, I can think of no more satisfying aspect of being in the U.S. Navy, than being a member of the Naval Aviation community. Being able to effect visible and positive change in advancing naval aviation doesn’t get any more rewarding.”