LCDR CARLOS R. CEPEDA

CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, Surface Development Group One (SURFDEVGRU 1)

15 March 2024 LCDR Cepeda is a native of Santiago, Dominican Republic and was raised in New York City. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Navy as a Nuke and reported to boot camp in 2000. He attended Nuclear Field ‘A’ School and Naval Nuclear Power School at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, South Carolina. Upon graduation from Nuke Power School, he report to the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, NY for training. 

Upon completion of nuclear training, LCDR Cepeda reported to the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for duty where he served in various capacities culminating in LPO at sea. This allowed him to advance quickly through the ranks. He served on NIMITZ from July 2002 to February 2007 and eventually promoted to MM(N)1. He was subsequently selected for the STA-21 program in 2006 and reported to OTCN in Newport, RI in February 2007 for STA-21 training. Upon completion, he reported to San Diego ROTC and majored in Applied Mathematics at SDSU. 

Upon graduation, he commissioned and reported to the USS Ashland (LSD 48) for duty as MP DIVO during a Depot Modernization Period (DMP). His second tour was onboard the USS San Antonio where he served as AOPS. While on SAN, he deployed to C5F and C6F OPAREAS. For shore duty, he reported to Tactical Training Group, Pacific and served as an AMW and SUW instructor/mentor. As a Department Head, he served as CHENG onboard the USS PREBLE where we deployed to 7th fleet in 2019 and 4th fleet in 2020. PREBLE also conducted a homeport shift. LCDR Cepeda oversaw dry-docking preparations to include defueling operations in preparation for PREBLE’s dry-docking and DMP. As CHENG onboard ZUMWALT, he led the department through an arduous Post Shakedown Availability and Basic Phase ultimately culminating in ZUMWALT’s maiden deployment to the 7th Fleet OPR.

He currently serves as the Chief Staff Officer, Surface Development Group One (SURFDEVGRU 1).

LCDR Cepeda’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).