Aquilino was also the Navy's Old Goat, the longest serving United States Naval Academy graduate on active duty, having received the title and accompanying decanter from James F. Caldwell Jr. on January 9, 2024.

[6] Aquilino graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1984, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics.

His fleet assignments include the Ghost Riders of Fighter Squadron (VF) 142 and the Black Aces of VF-41.

[7] Aquilino's shore tour assignments include duties as an adversary instructor pilot flying the A-4, F-5 and F-16N aircraft for the Challengers of VF-43; operations officer of Strike Weapons and Tactics School, Atlantic; flag aide to the vice chief of naval operations; special assistant for weapons and advanced development in the Office of the Legislative Affairs for the Secretary of Defense; director of air wing readiness and training for Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet; and executive assistant to the commander, United States Fleet Forces Command.

[7] Aquilino's flag assignments include director of strategy and policy (J5), United States Joint Forces Command; deputy director, joint force coordinator (J31), the Joint Staff; commander, CSG-2, director of maritime operations, United States Pacific Fleet (N04); deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy (N3/N5); and as commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces.