CDR Johnathon Buss

Commanding Officer, USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) Blue Crew

18 September 2025 Commander Johnathon Buss, a native of Media, Illinois, graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.

At sea, Commander Buss' assignments include Ordnance Officer and Combat Information Center Officer aboard USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) and Navigator aboard USS FREEDOM (LCS 1). As a department head, he was a member of the commissioning crew of USS MILWAUKEE (LCS 5), serving as Combat Systems Officer and later as Operations Officer.

Ashore, Commander Buss served at U.S. Third Fleet in the N8/9 Requirements, CONOPS, and Fleet Experimentation Department, where he was the lead Experimentation Officer for RIMPAC 2020 and the lead planner for Unmanned Systems Integrated Battle Problem 21 (UxS IBP 21). He subsequently served as Flag Secretary / N1 for Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia.

Commander Buss fleeted up from Executive Officer and assumed command of USS SANTA BARBARA (LCS 32) Blue Crew in October 2025. The ship is homeported in San Diego, California.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), and various campaign and service medals and ribbons.