CDR Clayton Beas

Past Commanding Officer, USS CHARLESTON (LCS 18) Blue Crew

30 July 2021 Cmdr. Clayton Beas, a native of Bloomington, California graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in History.  In 2011, he earned his master’s degree in Systems Technology (C4I) from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

His assignments at sea include electrical officer and damage control assistant aboard USS Reuben James (FFG 57); deck division officer aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68); chief engineer of Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Crew Dominant embarked aboard USS Gladiator (MCM 11), USS Chief (MCM 14), USS Warrior (MCM 10) and USS Champion (MCM 4); chief engineer and senior watch officer aboard USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), where he deployed with the Carl Vinson Strike Group in support of Operation Inherent Resolve; and executive officer aboard USS Manchester (LCS 14) and USS Cincinnati (LCS 20).
 
Ashore, Beas served as the Deputy Knowledge Manager at Naval Forces Central Command in Manama, Bahrain; Current Operations Director for Theater Undersea Warfare for Commander, Task Force Three Four/Commander Submarine Forces Pacific.

His current assignment is commanding officer of USS Charleston (LCS 18) Blue Crew.  

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Sea Service Ribbon (seven awards), as well as various unit and campaign awards.