CDR Ryan P. Appleman

COMMANDING OFFICER, USS CHAFEE (DDG 90)

30 January 2026 CDR Ryan Appleman is a native of Fairfax, Virginia and a 2005 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his commission in 2007 via Officer Candidate School and holds a master’s degree in Manpower Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California

His sea tours include serving as Electrical Officer and Combat Information Center Officer in USS MCINERNEY (FFG 8), where he twice deployed to the 4th Fleet Area of Operation; Navigator in USS ANTIETAM (CG 54), and; as Operation Officer and Combat Systems Officer and Senior Watch Officer in USS HOWARD (DDG 83), completing a deployment with the NIMITZ STRIKE GROUP to the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Operation. Most recently, he served as Executive Officer in USS CHAFEE (DDG 90)

Ashore, CDR Appleman’s assignments include serving as a Seamanship and Navigation Instructor at the United States Naval Academy; Fires and Targeting Planner and Flag Aide to Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy, and: as Chief Data Scientist/Assistant Officer Community Manager in Surface Warfare Officer Distribution Division (PERS-41) at the Naval Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee.

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various other personal, unit and service awards.