CDR Johannes Smith

Commanding Officer, USS Illinois

Commander Smith enlisted in the Navy in 1997 and completed training as a nuclear Electronics Technician before commissioning through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Master of Engineering Management from Duke University. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College, Joint Forces Staff College, and a Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellow.

His sea tours include multiple division officer roles aboard USS Florida (SSGN 728), Navigator and Operations Officer aboard USS Columbus (SSN 762), and Executive Officer aboard USS Columbia (SSN 771). During these tours, he completed multiple overseas deployments in support of submarine operations in the USINDOPACOM, USAFRICOM, and USCENTCOM areas of responsibility.

While ashore, Commander Smith has served on the staffs of Submarine Group Ten, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Submarine Squadron Seven, and the White House Military Office.