Captain Bennett Christman

Commander, Submarine Development Squadron FIVE

Captain Christman is a native of Old Lyme, Connecticut. He graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and was a fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI.

At sea, Christman’s assignments have included tours as Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant and Assistant Engineer in USS SPRINGFIELD (SSN 761), Engineer Officer in USS OHIO (SSGN 726) (GOLD), and Executive Officer in USS NEW HAMPSHIRE (SSN 778). Christman was honored to serve again on NEW HAMPSHIRE as Commanding Officer from April 2020 to January 2023. Under his command, NEW HAMPSHIRE deployed twice to the North Atlantic and received the Submarine Squadron SIX Battle Efficiency ‘E’ Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Marjorie Sterrett Fleet Battle Fund Award.

Ashore, Christman served as Flag Aide to the Commander, Naval Forces Marianas; Technical Representative to the Director of Naval Reactors; Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations; Navy Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab; Advisor to the Director of the Navy’s Digital Warfare Office; and an analyst and then Senior Military Assistant to the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Christman was recipient of the Naval Submarine League VADM Charles Lockwood Award for Professional Excellence. He is authorized to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).