TW5 R.C. Leadership

Reserve Program Direcotor

Born in Adak, Alaska and primarily residing in Chesapeake, Virginia, CDR Didier became a fourth-generation sailor and first-generation Naval Officer upon commissioning in 2006 with a B.S. in Aviation from Hampton University. He completed primary flight training at VT-2 and advanced rotary wing training at HT-28 before being designated a Naval Aviator in October 2008.

Following initial Fleet Replacement Pilot training at NAS North Island in San Diego, California, CDR Didier was stationed at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. He flew various versions of the H-60 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation NEW DAWN while deployed aboard the USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN-75). In addition to his flying duties, CDR Didier served as the NATOPS Officer, Personnel Officer, and Line Division Officer.

In September 2012, CDR Didier reported to HT-8, NAS Whiting Field, Florida, as an instructor pilot in the TH-57. During this tour he trained flight students from different military services as well as international students. He graduated from the Naval School of Aviation Safety and earned his master's degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2015.

Following his shore tour, CDR Didier reported aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), stationed in San Diego, California in October 2015 as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer. He supported Carrier Strike Group operations while completing a western Pacific deployment. He served as the Top Cat, V-2 Division Officer, and V-3 Division Officer. He transitioned to the Navy's Full Time Support (FTS)/Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) community in 2016.

In October 2017, CDR Didier returned to HT-8, NAS Whiting Field, Florida, as a TH-57 instructor pilot. He served as the Safety Department Head, Reserve Department Head, and squadron Operations Officer. He completed JPME-1 from the Air Command and Staff College in 2017, served as Officer-in-Charge of a 39 aircraft hurricane evacuation in 2018, and participated in Operation Northern Edge in Anchorage, Alaska in 2019. Additionally, he was awarded Training Air Wing Five FTS Instructor of the Year in 2019.

In April 2020, CDR Didier reported to BUPERS-3 in Millington, Tennessee as the TAR Aviation Officer Community Manager for over 700 aviators. His primary duties included managing the TAR selection board for nine communities and 20 aviation sub-communities as well as tracking the TAR Aviation Department Head Bonus, Command Retention Bonus, and Aviation Career Incentive Pay program budgets totaling over $15M annually. He reported to Training Air Wing Five in October 2022 and is currently serving as the Reserve Program Director. He will continue to train the next generation of military aviators in the TH-73.