Bobbie Scholley, CAPT (retired), US Navy

Captain Barbara “Bobbie” Scholley graduated from Illinois State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. In May 1981, she graduated Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island, and in 2000, she graduated the Industrial College of the Armed Forces where she earned a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy. She also holds an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Illinois State University.

Scholley is designated as a Special Operations Officer, a deep sea Diving Officer, a Salvage Officer and a Surface Warfare Officer. Her operational assignments include USS Canopus (AS 34), USS Vulcan (AR 5) and USS Hoist (ARS 40). She became the fourth woman in the U.S. Navy to command a surface vessel and served as the Commanding Officer, USS Bolster (ARS 38) from 1992-1994. She served as the Combat Logistics Group TWO Senior Diving Officer during TWA Flight 800 Salvage Operation in 1996. In 2000, she became the first woman to command a Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) at MDSU TWO. In that position, she deployed to Adan, Yemen in support of the USS Cole (DDG 67) recovery effort. In 2001 and 2002, she led the USS Monitor salvage expeditions. Her final operational assignment was Chief Staff Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group TWO.

Her shore assignments include U.S. Naval Academy Navigation Instructor and Ninth Company Officer, Supervisor, Diving and Salvage, Naval Sea Systems Command and Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station, Earle, New Jersey during the buildup for OPERATION: Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Scholley retired from the U.S. Navy in August 2005. Today, she serves as a consult, routinely speaking in public. She is a member of the Illinois State University, College of Science Hall of Fame and is a member and former Chairman of the Board of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. She has received recognition for many of her volunteer efforts including the Beneath the Sea Diver of the Year for Service Award in 2012.