Maj Bursae graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in December 2000. He completed The Basic School in June of 2000 and immediately reported into Pensacola for training as a student Naval Flight Officer. Having earned Commodore’s List for flight and academic achievement in the intermediate NFO training, he selected strike/fighter and earned is NFO wings January 2003 and reported to VMFAT-101 in MCAS Miramar for designation as a Weapons and Sensor Officer in F/A-18Ds.
Maj Bursae reported to VMFA(AW)-533 in Beaufort, SC immediately following completion of the Fleet Replacement Squadron, and deployed three times in his four and a half year tour. He participated in two WESTPAC Unit Deployment Programs (UDPs) and one combat deployment to Al Asad Airfield during OIF 05-07.1 in 2006. During this tour, he served as the command historian, Substance Abuse Control Officer, S-1 Officer, scheduling officer, flight officer, and WSO training Officer. He attended multiple schools including TOPGUN, earning his Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) designation. Major Bursae achieved every qualification available including Mission Commander, FAC(A) Instructor, TAC(A) Instructor, Night Systems Low Instructor, and Air Combat Tactics Instructor. At the end of this tour, he was selected for transition to Naval Aviator and reported to Corpus Christi for primary pilot training.
During pilot training, Major Bursae was put on the commodore’s list for primary training completion as well as advanced training completion. While at VT-21, he earned one Navy E for bombing. After selecting F/A-18s, he reported to VFA-106 for FRS training as a pilot and while there, he earned Top Stick for his class.
Major Bursae reported into VMFA-312 where he served as the Quality Assurance Officer. He was then transferred to VMFA-251 to serve as the Operations Officer and Director of Safety of Standardization and deployed on board the USS Enterprise during the last deployment for CVN-65. He supported OEF 13.2 as well as multiple detachments. When he returned, he took over the MAG-31 DSS role and went to Aviation Safety Officer’s course in Pensacola, FL. He was then deployed as an individual augmentee to serve as the J-3 Aviation Officer for CENTCOM Forward in Jordan.
Major Bursae is a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School (distance education program), Command and Staff (distance education program), TOPGUN, the School of Aviation Safety’s Aviation Safety Officer’s course, and NATO’s Planning Process course.
His current qualifications and designations include Division Leader, Section Leader, Night Systems Instructor, SFTI, PMCF, NATOPS Instructor, Instrument Instructor, and CRM Facilitator.
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (6th award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd award), Iraqi Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign ribbon, and Sea Service Deployment ribbon (6th award).