Rear Admiral John N. Christenson

Rear Adm. Christenson became the 53rd president of the U.S. Naval War College, March 30, 2011.  The fourth of six sons of a Navy Skyraider pilot and a Navy nurse, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981.

At sea, he commanded USS McClusky (FFG 41); Destroyer Squadron 21 in USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74); and Carrier Strike Group 12, the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Strike Group and most recently served as president, Board of Inspection and Survey. He also served as the anti- submarine warfare officer and main propulsion assistant aboard USS Cook (FF 1083); aide to commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 1 in USS Long Beach  (CGN 9); weapons officer aboard USS Downes (FF 1070); Destroyer Squadron 21 combat systems officer in USS Nimitz (CVN 68); and, as executive officer aboard USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986).  He deployed eight times on seven ships and twice in command of McClusky.

Ashore, he commanded the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, and as a new flag officer he served as commander, Naval Mine and Anti-submarine Warfare Command, Corpus Christi, Texas.  He also served at the U.S. Naval Academy as a company officer, celestial navigation instructor, assistant varsity soccer coach and member of the admissions board; at Headquarters, United States Marine Corps in the Strategic Initiatives Group; on the Joint Staff, J5 and as executive assistant to the assistant chairman.

He graduated with distinction, and first in his class from the Naval War College, earning his Master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He was also a Navy Federal Executive Fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Christenson has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (five awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.