CDR Raymond T. Ball Jr.

Commanding Officer, USS Comstock (LSD 45)

12 June 2025 Raymond T. Ball Jr. is a native of Rockledge, Florida and lived in Merritt Island, Florida until he enlisted in the Navy in 1999. He completed an enlisted tour at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, NC advancing to Religious Program Specialist Second Class and earning his Fleet Marine Force Specialist qualification. Ray graduated from The Citadel through the Seaman to Admiral Program (STA-21) in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned in August 2006.

Following commissioning, he reported on board USS FARRAGUT (DDG 99) as Electrical Officer in August 2006. In 2009 he completed both Surface Nuclear Power School and Prototype in Goose Creek, SC. He reported to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 70), homeported in Norfolk, VA in 2009, where he served as the Electrical Officer until December 2010. Commander Ball reported to Naval Post Graduate School in January 2011 and completed a Master's in Business Administration. 

After Department Head school in RI he reported as the Chief Engineer to USS MUSTIN (DDG 89) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan until January 2016. He completed another tour as Chief Engineer onboard USS ANTIETAM (CG 54) also homeported in Japan. From October 2017 to February2018 Ray had the distinct privilege of serving as the interim Executive Officer of the USS JOHN S MCCAIN (DDG 56) after her tragic collision. He then reported to 7th Fleet Staff as the Korea Plans Branch Chief until December of 2019. 

In January 2020 he served as a campaign analyst on OPNAV N81 staff until January 2022. CDR Ball then served as the Executive Officer of the USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) for 25 months and took command of the USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45) on 12 June 2025.