First NMITC Commanding Officer Celebrates 90th Birthday

Captain (Ret) Paul Lasko, who served as the first commanding officer of the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC) in Dam Neck, Virginia Beach, celebrated his 90th birthday on 4 April 2026 with nearly a hundred family members, friends, and former colleagues at the Ginger Cove Retirement Community, where he lives in Annapolis, Maryland. Paul treated all gathered to a delicious brunch, and entertained all assembled with his characteristic witty banter. Throughout the party, lively videos of the terrific life and travels he shared with his late wife Virginia played in the background. 

The guest list was highlighted by Paul’s family—daughter Jennifer, her husband James Allen, his grandson, Lieutenant Commander Nick Allen, USNR, and granddaughter Genevieve Allen. Several NIP members attended, including Rear Admiral (Ret) Tony Cothron, Captain (Ret) Tom Bortmes, and Captain (Ret) Vivian Turnbull. Captain Turnbull read well wishes to Paul from Rear Admiral (Ret) Sam Cox, Director of The Naval History and Heritage Command. Captain Bortmes then offered remarks summarizing Paul’s long and distinguished Navy and post-Navy careers, adding some humorous highlights of the over 40-year friendship that he, Tony Cothron, and their families have shared with Paul, Virginia, and their family.  Tony and Tom served under Paul as lieutenants at the Fleet Intelligence Training Center Atlantic/NMITC, and as members of the CNO’s Soviet Seapower Education Program that Captain Lasko headed. As Tom concluded in his remarks, their relationship with the Laskos began with Paul as their CO and career mentor, developed into a close personal friendship, and then they became the best kind of friends—friends who become family. 

Paul Lasko was commissioned through OCS in Newport after graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1960. He served as a surface warfare officer before getting assigned to the Naval Investigative Service in Norfolk, Virginia. During that tour he converted his designator to 1630 (Naval Intelligence) and subsequently took orders to Vietnam. Lieutenant Commander Lasko served as executive assistant to the DNI andthen reported to CINCPACFLT where he worked for Commander Bob Inman. Commander Lasko and his wife Virginia (Ginny), along with daughter Jennifer, were stationed in Moscow from 1976–78 when he was the assistant naval attaché. Commander Lasko later served as N2 for Carrier Group 8 in Norfolk and had a follow-on tour at the Tactical Training Group Atlantic. He took command of the Fleet Intelligence Training Center Atlantic (FITCLANT) in 1982. It was during that tour that the Soviet Seapower Education Program was established and funded by CNO at FITCLANT. He also led the efforts and broke the ground for establishment of NMITC in Virginia Beach, and he was assigned as the first commanding officer of the new schoolhouse. After retiring in 1985 after serving a 25-year career, he and Ginny moved to Annapolis where he worked supporting maritime security.  

Of note, NMITC will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It was established in 1986 when the naval intelligence training schoolhouse moved from its previous location in Lowry Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado.

Viv Turnbull read a letter to Paul from RADM (Ret) Sam Cox (now the Director of Naval History).

CAPT (Ret) Tom Bortmes, former CO of ONI, gave a heartfelt and entertaining toast to Paul.

Paul with his birthday cake.