CAPT Chris Follin

Past Commodore, Afloat Training Group (ATGPAC)

14 December 2020 Captain Chris Follin, a native of South Carolina, enlisted in 1987 as an Electronics Technician and served five years onboard  USS BIRMINGHAM (SSN 695).  While serving on the Submarine Surveillance Equipment Program Certification Team, he was selected as one of the first 50 Sailors for Admiral Boorda’s Seaman to Admiral Program.

Designated as a Surface Warfare Officer, his operational tours have been the Main Propulsion Division Officer and Strike Officer onboard USS CHANCELLORSVILLE where he earned the SURFPAC ship handler of the year award and deployed to Fourth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR); Operations Officer on Mine Countermeasures Rotational Crew Bravo embarked onboard USS PIONEER (MCM 9) and USS ARDENT (MCM 12), where he deployed to Fifth Fleet AOR, Weapons and Combat Systems Officer onboard USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL (DDG 81), where he deployed to Sixth and Fifth Fleet AORs, Assistant Maritime Operations Officer for Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer onboard USS SIMPSON (FFG 56) where he completed two successful deployments to the Sixth Fleet AOR and earned a third Battle Efficiency Award. As Deputy Commodore and Commodore of destroyer squadron TWO, he deployed with Carrier Strike Group Twelve, around the world onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN for ten months through the Second, Sixth, Fifth, Seventh, and Third Fleet AORs.  Following his Commodore tour he briefly had command of the USS ARLEIGH BURKE to complete the Basic and Intermediate phases of training in preparations for a home port shift and deployment to Sixth Fleet.

Ashore CAPT Follin has served at the NROTC unit Jacksonville University, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint War-fighting Center, OPNAV staff for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations and Strategy (N3/N5).  

CAPT Follin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Business from Jacksonville University.  Captain Follin’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit (2), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal (3), the Navy Achievement Medal (4), the Good Conduct Award, and various campaign and unit decorations.