Rear Adm. Satterwhite is a native of Sterling, Virginia. He began his naval career in August 1986 in Atlanta Georgia with a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship at Georgia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Electrical Engineering. He was commissioned as an Ensign in March 1991 and attended Basic Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport.
Satterwhite’s first assignment was onboard USS Milwaukee (AOR 2) as navigator. Upon the Milwaukee’s decommissioning, he returned to Newport and attended Damage Control Assistant and Gas Turbine Engineer School graduating as a distinguished graduate. Satterwhite reported to USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) as the damage control assistant. He served onboard Robert G. Bradley from May 1994 to May 1995.
Satterwhite transferred to Monterey, California to attend the Naval Postgraduate School. In March 1997, he received a Master of Science in Management. Upon graduation from the Naval Postgraduate School, he transferred to Navy Recruiting District, Michigan. He served as the enlisted programs officer from May 1997 to October 2001. Satterwhite transferred to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies in November 2002. He then attended the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Satterwhite reported to USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the training officer. He served onboard USS George Washington from May 2003 to July 2005.
Satterwhite reported to the Chief of Naval Personnel in July 2005, where he served as deputy, Total Force Assessments Branch (N126). In August 2006, he reported to the DCS STRATEFF, Office of National Reconciliation in Iraq where he served as operations officer developing a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration strategy for the Government of Iraq as an individual augmentee. He returned from Iraq in August 2007 and transferred to the Current Manpower Allocations Branch as head of Manpower Analysis and Accounting Section (N122E). In May 2008, he was assigned as the deputy for Enlisted Plans and Policy (N132B) in OPNAV N13. In September 2010, he was assigned as head of Strength, Planning and Analysis Section (N100P) and became head, Strategic Resourcing Branch (N100) in August 2011. From August 2013 to August 2015, he served as director, Total Force Manpower Division at Naval Education and Training Command. In October 2015, he assumed command as Western Sector commander, U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM). From November 2015 through April 2016 he also served as commander, USMEPCOM. From August 2017 to March 2021, he served as director, Business Operations in the N1 Office of Transformation, deputy director, Enterprise Support, and director of Transformation. From March 2021 to July 2021, he served as chief of naval personnel, Chief Commander’s Action Group.
Satterwhite’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation and various other unit awards.