CDR Christopher O. Thomas

COMMANDING OFFICER, USS TULSA (LCS 16) BLUE CREW

08 March 2024 Commander Chris Thomas is a 2005 graduate of Purdue University where he commissioned through the Seaman to Admiral-21 Program and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He holds a Master of Science degree with honors in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

At sea, he served as Main Propulsion and Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Officer, USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); Damage Control Assistant, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96); Weapons and Combat Systems Officer, USS Robert Smalls (CG 62); and Operations officer, USS Princeton (CG 59).

Ashore, he served as Officer-in-Charge and Lead Instructor for Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) Command Learning Site Norfolk; Staff Exercise and Planning Officer for Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Detachment Point Loma; Deputy Director for Executive Special Projects for the Director, Navy Staff (DNS) at the office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and Deputy Executive Assistant to the first Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, (OPNAV N7).

Most recently, he served as Executive Officer, USS Tulsa (LCS 16) Blue Crew.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and other various personal, unit, and service awards.