Captain Christopher Cavanaugh
Commander, Submarine Squadron 11

Captain Chris Cavanaugh, a native of Convoy, Ohio, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  After commissioning, he attended the University of California at Berkeley and earned a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering.  He later earned a master's degree in Foreign Affairs from the Catholic University of America and was selected as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI fellow.

His sea duty assignments include serving as a Division Officer in USS PORTSMOUTH (SSN 707), Engineer in USS CHARLOTTE (SSN 767), and Executive Officer in USS ASHEVILLE (SSN 758). He commanded USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN 706), leading a team that completed two Western Pacific deployments, earned a Navy Unit Commendation, and was awarded the COMSUBRON ELEVEN Battle Efficiency “E” for 2013.

His shore assignments include serving in the Strategy and Policy Division (N51) for the Chief of Naval Operations, as Squadron Engineer for COMSUBRON THREE, as the Submarine Executive Officer/Post-Executive Officer detailer at Navy Personnel Command (PERS-42), and as Deputy Director for Nuclear Propulsion Programs (N133) for the Chief of Naval Personnel.  Most recently, he was the Program and Budget Branch Chief (J8 PBAD) for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Captain Cavanaugh’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal (four awards).  He is proud to have served in units awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (three awards), and Battle Efficiency “E” (four awards).