CAPT PAUL "VEG" BANDINI, USN
Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer
NROTC Unit University of Hawaii
CAPT Paul Bandini is from Houston, Texas and a graduate of Texas A&M University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He was commissioned through the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Navy ROTC Program in May 1996. After his commissioning he reported to NAS Pensacola earning his designation as a Naval Flight Officer in July 1997.
His first sea duty was with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO in Rota, Spain from September 1997 through December 2000 where he flew numerous combat reconnaissance missions in Operations ALLIED FORCE, SOUTHERN/NORTHERN WATCH, JOINT FORGE, NOBLE ANVIL, JOINT GUARDIAN, DECISIVE GUARDIAN and INCA GOLD. He was selected as the VQ-2 NFO of the Year for 2000.
Following his initial fleet tour, CAPT Bandini reported to Training Squadron FOUR at NAS Pensacola for duty as a Flight Instructor and Flight Commander for the intermediate jet phase of flight training.
In June 2003, he joined the staff of Commander, US SEVENTH Fleet embarked aboard the USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) home ported in Yokosuka, Japan where he served as Flag Aide to the Commander, US SEVENTH Fleet.
From May 2005 to September 2007, CAPT Bandini attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he was a member of the Space Systems Academic Group earning a Master of Science degree in Space Systems Operations. He is a member of the Navy's Space Cadre.
In November 2007, he reported to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE where he served as the Weapons Tactics Instructor, Operations Officer and Officer in Charge for Combined Task Group 57.1 in the desert executing combat reconnaissance missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan during Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM.
He completed his Joint tour at U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, where he served as Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff and the Alternative Futures Chief for the J9 Mission Assessment and Analysis Directorate.
From December 2012 to May 2015, CAPT Bandini served as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer for the “TALONS” of Tactical Air Control Squadron TWELVE making numerous deployments to FDNF onboard the USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD-6).
In May 2015, he reported as the Chief of Staff for Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TWO in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Upon CPRW-2 disestablishment, he transferred to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet where he served as Executive Assistant, Director for Fleet Training, COVID CZAR, GFM Lead, and Chief of Staff for the Director of Maritime Operations. He is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Naval ROTC.
CAPT Bandini has logged over 3000 hours in various U.S. Navy aircraft. He has been awarded numerous personal, unit and campaign awards. He is married to the former Michelle Clayton of College Station, Tx. They have two children, Val and Vinny.