CDR David J. Ingel

Commanding Officer, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56)

15 December 2025 Commander David Ingel is a native of California who enlisted in the United States Navy as a Personnelman in July 2001. He commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in 2009 through Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Following commissioning, CDR Ingel served as a Division Officer aboard MCM CREW LEADER, where he was the Electrical and Auxiliaries Officer. In July 2011, he reported to USS OKANE, serving as the Fire Control Officer and completing two independent FIFTH Fleet Ballistic Missile Defense deployments. Upon completion of this tour, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School, earning a Master’s degree in National Security Affairs.

After NPS, CDR Ingel earned his Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Weapons Tactics Instructor designation prior to attending Surface Warfare Officer Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island. He subsequently reported to USS MILIUS for his first Department Head tour as the Plans and Tactics Officer and later fleeted up as the Combat Systems Officer.

CDR Ingel later served at Commander, Task Force 64 (CTF-64) as a lead IAMD Planner and as the Exercise Lead for FORMIDABLE SHIELD 23. He was the Executive Officer aboard USS SHOUP from April 2024 to September 2025.

CDR Ingel is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of USS JOHN S. McCAIN (DDG 56).

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and multiple unit and service awards.