Of all Dave Hartmann's achievements in the U.S. Navy, he is most proud of the impact he made through the Navy's Early Command Program. In 2021, he was among a small number of high-performing junior officers elevated to commanding officer - the highest position of leadership onboard a Navy ship - years ahead of the standard selection process. While deployed to the Gulf of Oman, he and his crew aboard the USS Chinook seized 2,116 assault rifles and destroyed 170+ tons of high explosives headed to rebel fighters in Yemen. They also confiscated 560 kg of illegal drugs from a vessel that set itself on fire when its crew spotted the Chinook approaching. For their extraordinary work, the ship's sailors received several awards, including the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the 2022 Battle Efficiency Award. Individually, Hartmann was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, complementing several other decorations from other points in his career.

Early promotion has been a common theme in Hartmann's career. In 2016, he was selected as a Warfare Tactics Instructor, analogous to the naval flight community's better-known TOP GUN program. In 2018, he was elevated to lieutenant commander and selected for "merit reorder" - meaning he was designated a top 15% performer and promoted a year ahead of most of his peers. Only 10% of Navy officers command a ship in their career; far fewer command multiple ships. In 2023, Hartmann was promoted to commander, a year sooner than most, and chosen to command again - this time on a larger ship, the USS Savannah, with a bigger crew. He will assume command in San Diego in the summer of 2027 after 18 months as the executive officer.