DURANT, CHARLES W. – CAPTAIN, U.S. NAVY
Class of 1977Service: U.S. Navy
MOS: Engineer, JAG, Inspector General
CHARLES W. DURANT
United States Navy Reserve, Retired
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Captain Charles Durant earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1982. He later earned a Masters of Arts in Business Administration and a Masters of Arts in Management from Webster University in 1986, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1991.
Upon graduation from North Carolina State in 1982, Charles Durant began his engineering career with the Bechtel Group in Gaithersburg, MD. In 1984, he accepted a direct commission as an Ensign in the Civil Engineer Corp. After completion of Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, Rhode Island, and training at the Civil Engineer Corps Officer School, Port Hueneme, California, he reported to his initial active duty assignment as Assistant Resident Officer In Charge of Construction, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, where he administered numerous Navy and Marine Corp construction projects totaling over $5 Million. While at Parris Island, Charles earned two Masters Degrees. In October 1986, he reported to Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas as Assistant Public Works Officer, where he ran the day to day operations of a 200 person public works department responsible for keeping the air operations facilities, runways, and all support facilities up and running.
Charles was released from active duty in July 1988 and began law school at the University of Virginia. In addition, he transferred into the Navy Reserve and began drilling with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 23 as an Assistant Detachment Officer in Charge located in Roanoke, Va. In September 1989, he reported to Reserve Division, Naval Facilities Command (RDNAVFAC) as Facilities Support Officer for Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Richmond, Virginia, and Navy Reserve Center, Staunton, Virginia. In September 1991, after graduation from law school, he reported for duty with the NINTH Naval Construction Regiment, Dallas, Texas as Administrative Officer. In 1992, he returned to the east coast and reported for duty with NMCB 23. For the next five years while assigned to NMCB 23, Charles served as a Detachment Officer in Charge, then as Echo Company Commander and finally as Alfa Company Commander. In 1997 LCDR Durant reported for duty as Commanding Officer, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202 headquartered in Groton, CT. In September 1999, he reported for duty on the National Staff of Naval Facilities Engineering Command’s Contingency Engineering Group where he first served as a staff officer in the Reserve Programs Training Group, and then as the Reserve Staff Officer to NAVFAC’s Strategic Sourcing Office, and as Executive Officer for the NAVFAC Reserve Unit. In September 2002, CDR Durant assumed command of NMCB 27, headquartered in Brunswick, ME. From September 2004-05, he served as the Joint Engineering Officer for NR COMUSKOREA DET 102. Finally, he served as NAVFAC Inspector General from September 2005 until August 2007. He retired at the rank of CAPTAIN in April 2008. He has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with 3 gold stars); the Navy Achievement Medal, and he wore the National Defense Medal, the Battle “E” Ribbon (two), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol Medals. He was also Seabee Combat Warfare Qualified.
In civilian life, Charles retired in 2020 as Vice-President and Assistant General Counsel for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), located in SAIC’s Reston, Virginia headquarters, where for 20 years he provided legal support and coordinated the legal affairs to various SAIC Business Groups, performing a variety of commercial and government contracting activities. He joined SAIC in July 2002 as a Corporate Counsel. Prior to joining SAIC, he was an Assistant General Counsel with then Internet Service Provider, UUNET Technologies, Inc. located in Ashburn, Virginia. After law school, Charles performed a judicial clerkship with the late Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer, former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas, TX. He began his legal career in McLean, Virginia in 1992 as an associate attorney with the law firm of Watt, Tieder, Hoffar and Fitzgerald practicing construction contract litigation and government contracts. He later worked as an Attorney Advisor in the Commercial Law Branch of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, D.C., doing government contracts, and then as an associate attorney at the Venable Law Firm in their Tyson’s Corner, Virginia and Washington, DC offices, practicing construction contract litigation and government contracts. He is admitted to the bars of Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Charles is currently retired and resides in Hopkins, SC, just outside of Columbia, SC, with his wife Lois. They have two adult children, Chelsea, a graduate of North Carolina State University, and Christopher, a graduate of the College of William and Mary.
Charles notes that his time at NHHS were some of the best years of his life. He made many friends, many of which he still keeps in touch with. His time on the football team introduced him to many great guys. Being on the team helped him learn teamwork, helped him learn discipline and what it takes to work hard for whatever you want to achieve. The teachers he had at NHHS were great and prepared him well for college. They helped him understand that he could achieve anything he wanted if he were willing to work hard and take some chances. He loved his years at NHHS and he's proud to be a Wildcat Alumnus.
Accolades: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Accolades: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal