Born in Jamestown, N.Y., Capt. Thomas J. Porcari entered the Navy in 1943 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Georgia Tech. Following World War II, Capt. Porcari was on inactive duty, working as a design engineer for General Motors. Returning to active duty in 1950, he served as staff communications officer of a medium landing ship division in Korea and later as aide and flag lieutenant to the commander, Amphibious force, Pacific Fleet.
Capt. Porcari served as executive officer of the destroyer USS R. L. Wilson and the guided missile destroyer USS Wainwright. He was an instructor at the Naval War College. He also was the commanding officer of the minesweeper USS Assurance, the destroyer USS Bigelow and Destroyer Division 62. During the time he commanded Destroyer Division 62, he also served as assistant chief of staff for operations commanding officer of the destroyer tender USS Everglades.
Before coming to Naval Training Center, Capt. Porcari served as assistant chief of staff to the commander, Cruiser-Destroyer flotilla 12 and as chief of staff, Carrier Group Six. His command prior to NTC was Destroyer Squadron 24. He retired from Naval service following his tour at NTC.
He obtained a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University and a masters degree in international relations from George Washington University. He was also a graduate of the Naval War College.
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