Capt. Joseph Baggett is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina. He enlisted in the Navy in February of 1993. After serving aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), he was accepted into the Seaman to Admiral commissioning program and received his commission in May 1998. A 2005 graduate of Old Dominion University, Captain Baggett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a minor in Political Science.

A career Surface Warfare Officer, his shipboard assignments include damage control assistant aboard USS KLAKRING (FFG 42), fire control officer and force protection officer aboard USS STOUT (DDG 55), engineering officer aboard USS Barry (DDG 52), and engineering officer aboard USS ANZIO (CG 68). He served as commanding officer of USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103) and USS MONTEREY (CG 61).

Ashore, he served on the staff of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet as lead exercise planner; lead requirements officer for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Warfare Mission Package on the Chief of Naval Operations staff, and as operations officer for the Deployable Training Division on the Joint Staff.

Baggett reported to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet in July 2022 and is currently serving as the chief of staff.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and various unit awards.