CDR Rick Bartol was born and raised in South Central Pennsylvania. He attended Gettysburg College for undergraduate (BS, Health Sciences, 2006) and West Virginia University for Dental School (DDS, 2011). After completing Officer Development School (ODS), CDR Bartol completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Residency at Naval Station Norfolk, VA.
From 2012-2017, he served with the Fleet Marine Force, assigned first to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, 13th Dental Company, 1st Dental Battalion in support of 3rd Marine Air Wing, and then to 2D Dental Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC in support of II Marine Expeditionary Force. During this time, he earned his Fleet Marine Force Officer Qualification and led detachments for exercises as Company Commander of 2D Dental Company. In garrison, he held positions as Division Officer, Clinic Director, and president of the Coastal Carolina Dental Society. In 2016, CDR Bartol was awarded the Commanding Officer's Award for Professional Excellence.
In 2017, CDR Bartol attended the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, MD for advanced residency training in Comprehensive Dentistry where he earned his MS in Oral Biology from Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. During this tour, he was awarded the 2018 Dean’s Award for Excellence and the 2019 Clinical Excellence Award. In 2021, he achieved board certification to become a Diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry.
Following residency training, CDR Bartol reported to Guam as Dental Department Head on board USS EMORY S LAND (AS 39). During this tour, he deployed twice in support of Southeast Theater Security Cooperation and played a key role in Operation COVID Defeat. He served as Ward Room Vice President and filled dual roles as Officer in Charge and Health Services Department Head of the Guam Beach Detachment during the ship’s maintenance period away from home port. In July 2020, he earned his Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer (SWMDO) qualification.
As Dental Department Head of NMRTU Groton, CT from 2021-2023, CDR Bartol was responsible for the operational dental readiness of 15 nuclear powered submarines, the Naval Submarine School, and submarine support facilities on board Submarine Base New London. During this post-COVID period, he enacted policies and initiatives to ensure full deployment readiness of the high OPTEMPO Submarine force. Additionally, he developed and led a local Continuing Education program to ensure license requirements for providers were met during a period of restricted travel.
In July, 2023, CDR Bartol returned to the Fleet Marine Force as Officer In Charge of 13th Dental Company, 1st Dental Battalion in support if 3rd Marine Air Wing. In addition to ensuring operational dental readiness for the units on board MCAS Yuma, he served as the 1st Dental Battalion Career Development Board Coordinator and the Navy Dental Corps Chair for the Oral Health Operational Clinical Community Quality and Standardization Subcommittee.
CDR Bartol currently serves as Executive Officer of 2D Dental Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC in support of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
CDR Bartol’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Army Commendation Medal (one award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).