Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, CDR Watts earned his commission in 2002 through the Navy ROTC program at the University of Virginia, where he majored in history and foreign affairs.

At sea, he served as Supply Officer in USS RAVEN (MHC 61) in Manama, Bahrain; Fire Control Officer in USS OSCAR AUSTIN (DDG 79) in Norfolk; and Operations Officer in both USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) in Yokosuka, Japan and USS MONTEREY (CG 61) in Norfolk.

Ashore, he served as an Escort Officer in the Navy Foreign Liaison Office (OPNAV N2L), as Protocol Officer for the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and as a Ballistic Missile Defense Requirements Officer at U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

CDR Watts earned a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University. He is proficient in Mandarin Chinese.