Captain Duffié is a Navy officer, currently serving as Chief Requirements and Force Structure Division J-55 at USCINCPAC, Camp Smith, Hawaii. This assignment follows a year as a military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
Captain Duffié had several sea and staff tours as a Submarine officer from 1977 until 1990. He had command of USS Helena (SSN 725) from August 1990 to July 1992, during which time he received the 1992 Naval Submarine League Admiral Darby award for command excellence. He then reported to the COMSUBPAC staff as the Prospective Commanding Officer (PCO) Instructor from July 1992 to July 1994, followed by a tour as Chief of Actions on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He assumed command of USS SIMON LAKE (AS 33) on 12 July, 1997. During his command tour his ship received the Battle Efficiency "E" for 1997 and 1998, Ney Runner-Up (1997/1998), two Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendations and the NATO Medal. Captain Duffié is entitled to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), as well as numerous other Navy and Joint decorations.
Captain Duffié graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering in June 1975. He attended the National War College at the National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington, DC, from August, 1994 to June 1995 where he received a Master of Science Degree in National Security Strategy.