User:Sholmes12/Chip Cravaack

Chip Cravaack is a former US Navy Captain and Northwest Airlines Pilot running for U.S. Representative of the 8th congressional district of Minnesota.

Early Life
Cravaack was born in Charleston, West Virginia, but grew up in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees from United States Naval Academy and University of West Florida, respectively. Chip also took courses at the Naval War College and the National Defense University.

Navy and Northwest Airlines Career
As a US Navy Captain, Cravaack became the third generation of military servicemen in his family. During his Navy career, he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, and a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. Captain Cravaack was designated Navy Master Training Specialist and wears Naval Aviator Wings, Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Wings, and Air Assault Badge. After 24 years as a commissioned officer in the Navy, Cravaack spent 18 years as a pilot for Northwest Airlines. While working as an airline pilot, Chip was a union member and union representative for the Airline Pilots Association.

Politics
Chip Cravaack is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th congressional district of Minnesota against Jim Oberstar. He was the first Minnesota Congressional candidate to sign the "Contract from America," a grassroots movement to constitutionally deal with America's most urgent problems. Cravaack recently called on Jim Oberstar to resign as Head of the House Transportation Committee because of Oberstar's response to the B.P. Oil Spill.

Personal Life
Cravaack has two young sons and is married to Traci Cravaack, an MBA graduate of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.