Rear Adm. Charles Rock is a native of Upstate New York. He was commissioned in 1987 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. Rock holds a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College.

His assignments at sea include combat information center officer aboard USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG 27), electrical officer aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, operations officer in USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and executive officer aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG 75).

Ashore he has served as command, control and communications plans officer, U.S. European Command; military assistant to the political advisor, U.S. Joint Forces Command; deputy executive assistant and flag secretary to the Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and the Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation; and division chief, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Rock has commanded the High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 and Fleet Activities Sasebo.

Rock assumed duties as the 90th commandant, Naval District Washington August 18, 2016.

His awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Joint Commendation Medal, five awards of the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two awards of the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous unit and campaign awards.