Photo By Edward Cartagena | Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Dahms being presented his end of tour award from OICC China Lake...... read more read more
Subscribe
At Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest, mission success depends on the talents and dedication of both military and civilian leaders. Among them is Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Dahms, who currently serves as the command’s assistant operations officer.
A Civil Engineer Corps officer, Dahms has built a diverse portfolio of assignments throughout his career. He has served with the Officer in Charge of Construction (OICC) at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 in Gulfport, Mississippi; the Public Works Department at Naval Base Guam and NAVFAC Marianas; the Naval Support Unit (NSU) at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.; and OICC China Lake, California.
During his tour at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Dahms served as operations officer for the $2.9 billion earthquake recovery program, one of the largest construction efforts in Navy history. “That was an incredible team effort,” Dahms said. “NAVFAC played a central role in restoring critical infrastructure so the Navy could continue its mission, and I’m proud to have been part of that.”
Professional development has been another constant in his career. Dahms is an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), where he frequently presents at national conferences. He also chairs SAME’s Young Professional Council, supporting more than 2,400 members through outreach, training, and networking. “Engineering is about people just as much as it is about projects,” Dahms said. “Mentorship and professional growth are key to sustaining the Navy’s mission.”
From 2018 to 2021, Dahms served as officer in charge of NSU, leading more than 130 Seabees who install and maintain technical security systems at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. This mission, known as construction security engineering, supports diplomatic security by protecting personnel, facilities, and classified information from espionage and physical threats.
That experience later inspired Dahms to pursue writing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In spring 2025, he published Detachment November: The Unclassified Story of U.S. Navy Seabees in Diplomatic Security. The book highlights the origins of the Seabees’ partnership with the Department of State, beginning with a detachment to Moscow in 1964.
“The intertwined history of the Seabees and State Department is as thrilling as a Cold War spy novel with operations all around the globe,” said retired Rear Adm. Michael Giorgione. “Detachment November tells a fascinating history of U.S. Navy Seabees in diplomatic security. Told through the lens of one of the few CEC officers to lead the unit, it explores the unique challenges and opportunities of the mission.”
Even in his personal life, Dahms brings the same drive for building and creating. While stationed at China Lake, he and his wife, Maurissa, completed a full home renovation nearly entirely on their own. “Whether it’s at home, with SAME, or at NAVFAC, I like the challenge of taking on projects that leave a lasting impact,” Dahms said.
Looking ahead, Dahms remains focused on his role at NAVFAC Southwest. “Every assignment has reinforced that NAVFAC is essential to the Navy and Marine Corps mission,” he said. “From construction projects to operations support, the work we do ensures our warfighters have what they need to succeed.”
^1 While the project was deeply personal, Dahms is quick to note: the views expressed in the book are his own and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the U.S. Government.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2025 18:33 |
| Story ID: | 551919 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NAVFAC Southwest Employee Highlight – Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Dahms, by Edward Cartagena, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
