A native of Guam, Rear Adm. Gumataotao joined the Navy in 1976 and attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I. He is a 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and earned his Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 1994. He is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 and commander, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Strike Group.

A surface warfare officer, Gumataotao has deployed extensively to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf. His sea assignments include USS Bagley (FF 1069), USS Worden (CG 18), USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and Destroyer Squadron 31 (DESRON-31). His previous command-at-sea tours include USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Decatur (DDG 73), and Commander Destroyer Squadron 31.

Ashore, Gumataotao served as assistant surface operations officer and surface systems analysis officer for Commander, 3rd Fleet; a fellow for the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group at the Center for Naval Analysis in Washington, D.C.; a Congressional Liaison for Surface Programs at the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs; current operations officer for Commander, Pacific Fleet; chief of Division for Current Operations for the Pacific Command headquarters; and chief of staff for Naval Surface Forces.

His first flag assignment was in Korea where he wore multiple hats as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea for U.S. Pacific Fleet;  U.S. Naval regional commander for Naval Installations Command; commander, Task Force 78 for U.S. 7th Fleet; Naval component commander of United Nations Command; and, deputy naval component commander for Combined Forces Command, Korea.

Gumataotao’s decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and other personal, unit and campaign wards. He was also the recipient of the first Admiral Zumwalt Award for visionary leadership in 2001.