USS Cheyenne (SSN 773)

Submarine Squadron 7

Pearl Harbor, HI
Home : SUBPAC Commands : Submarine Squadrons : Submarine Squadron 7 : Submarines : USS Cheyenne : CO

Cmdr. Samuel Bell

Commanding Officer, USS Cheyenne

CDR Samuel “Sam” Bell grew up in Wrightstown, New Jersey and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17. After serving as an intelligence specialist with Marine Aerial Refueling Squadron 152 and Marine Group 31 he was awarded a Secretary of the Navy appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated in 2003 and began the submarine nuclear power pipeline.

During his initial sea tour CDR Bell served as the communications officer, chemistry and radiological assistant, and assistant engineer on the USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-709) deploying to the EUCOM AOR. He later completed multiple patrols as the Strategic Weapons Officer on the USS MARYLAND (SSBN-738). His last at-sea assignment was as the Executive Officer of the USS HARTFORD (SSN-768) completing another EUCOM deployment. CDR Bell is the prospective Commanding Officer of the USS CHEYENNE (SSN-773) scheduled to take command in early 2021.

During his non-sea tours CDR Bell earned his masters degree in Far East, Southeast Asia and Pacific Security Studies at the Naval Post Graduate School. After graduation, he served in support of the Army as an officer in charge of a detainee operations company in Iraq. Following his department head tour he led the Regulation Team at director Strategic Systems Programs. After his XO tour he served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon.