​I am Mike, the owner of Compass Scuba and co-organizer of the Washington Area Scuba Club.  I am a retired Army combat veteran with 22 years of honorable military service and father to two amazing kids which also share a passion for diving.  My passion for diving started at the age of 13 while dredging for gold in the cold mountain waters of Maine.  Since, I have dove all over the world and prefer the warmer waters of the Caribbean, Mexico, Bahamas, Red Sea and Indonesia to mention a few.  In search of the perfect retirement location, I travel extensively with club members, friends and family making diving, learning about the local culture and underwater photography the focal point of each new adventure.  As a Handicap Scuba Instructor, I have been rewarded with meeting amazing military heroes and others with disabilities that have experienced new found freedom and tranquility in water.  In addition, I am a licensed Merchant Mariner and when not traveling or teaching, I can be found on the Potomac River working as a Boat US/Potomac Marine Tow Boat Captain, salvage/recovery/public safety diver or just drifting about taking in the splendors of the season.  My passion for diving, travel, and enthusiasm to teach others led me to this hobby job which has opened up a world of opportunities and possibilities.  Like many in the dive community, I pledge to be an ambassador of our fragile underwater world as I continue life's journey.  Join me or simply enjoy seeing the world through my eyes and the opportunities I highlight to learn more.