CDR George Watkins

Commanding Officer, Gold Crew, USS Nevada (SSBN 733)

CDR George Watkins is a native of Unionville, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the U.S Naval Academy in May 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. He subsequently earned Masters Degrees in Financial Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 2012 and Engineering management from Old Dominion University in 2017.

CDR Watkins completed his first sea tour aboard USS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (SSN-705) in Guam. While onboard he served as a division officer in Engineering, Navigation and Combat System department. He qualified as a Navy Scuba Diver, Navigation Supervisor and was selected to serve as officer of the deck during national tasking. CDR Watkins next sea tour was the Operations Officer Onboard USS HELENA (SSN-725) in Norfolk, VA. Both submarines earned Battle Efficiently Ribbons and Unit commendations spanning multiple deployments in INDOPACOM, EUCOM and CENTCOM.

In 2018 CDR reported onboard USS GREENEVILLE (SSN-772) in Pearl Harbor, HI as Executive Officer. In 2019 the GREENEVILLE completed a Western Pacific Deployment earning a unit commendation and in 2020 CDR Watkins was selected for command at sea.

CDR Watkins' staff assignments include duty as Flag Aide to Commander Joint Region Marinas in Guam, Submarine Squadron 16 Operations Officer, managing SSGN/SSBN schedules in King's Bay GA and The Nuclear Operations Strike Branch Chief, Responsible for national level nuclear command and control procedures on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon.

CDR Watkins is proud to have served during three strategic deterrence patrols, five deployments and over fifteen missions vital to national security. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Serve Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendations Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Naval Achievement Medals and various expeditionary and unit awards.