Brian Fort

Brian Patrick Fort (born 1966) is a retired United States Navy rear admiral and surface warfare officer who last served as the 35th commander of the United States Naval Forces Japan and commander of Navy Region Japan from July 10, 2019 to July 14, 2021. As CNFJ/CNRJ, Fort was responsible for providing shore readiness to U.S. naval forces in Japan and maritime support to the American forward presence in Japan as well as cooperation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to promote regional stability and deter aggression. He previously served as commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific from August 2017 to June 2019, with tours as commodore of Destroyer Squadron 26 from June 2013 to June 2015 and commanding officer of from February 2008 to August 2009.

In March 2021, Carl Lahti, former commandant of Naval District Washington was assigned to succeed Fort as commander of United States Naval Forces Japan and Navy Region Japan. The change of command ceremony took place on July 14, 2021, with Fort retiring from active duty after 32 years of distinguished service.

Early life and education

Cmdr. Brian Fort, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), presents Dolia Gonzalez with a painting of her son, Marine Corps Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez, before turning command of the ship over to Cmdr. Lynn Acheson at Naval Station Norfolk.

Raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Fort received his commission via Officer Candidate School in 1990. He earned a master's degree from the Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies and is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College.

USS Fitzgerald collision investigation

Fort was selected to lead the U.S. Navy's investigation into the collision of the with a civilian merchant ship in June 2017. The sudden assignment resulted in the cancellation of the planned Navy Region Hawaii change of command ceremony with John V. Fuller, who assumed command forgoing the ceremony.

Awards and decorations

Surface Warfare Officer PinNavy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with three award stars Defense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with two award starsNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four award starsNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Unit Commendation with bronze service starNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with bronze service starCoast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy "E" Ribbon, 4th awardNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalArmed Forces Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze service starsNavy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service starSpecial Operations Service RibbonNATO Medal for the former YugoslaviaNATO Medal Ribbon (non-Article 5 version) Order of the Rising Sun, 2nd Class Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Command at Sea insigniaOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge