Commanding Officer

CAPT Lance E. Thompson, USN

Captain Lance Thompson enlisted in the Navy in 1988. After completing the nuclear enlisted pipeline, he was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program (Nuclear option). He graduated from Auburn University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. In 2002, he earned a master’s in engineering management from Southern Methodist University.

At sea he served as a Division Officer on USS Maine (SSBN 741) (GOLD), making six strategic deterrent patrols. As Engineer on USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) (GOLD) making four strategic deterrent patrols. As Executive Officer on USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) deploying to 5^th and 7^th Fleet Area of Operation. He was the commanding officer of USS Chicago (SSN 721) from September 2013 to May 2016. While in command, his crew earned a Navy Unit Commendation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and two Battle Efficiency “E” Awards.

His shore assignments include tours as advisor and instructor at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command; junior member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Operational Analyst for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation; Deputy for Mission Readiness for SUBRON-15, Senior Member of the Combat Readiness Evaluation Team for Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Deputy for Training for SUBRON-1 and commanding officer of Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific.

Thompson served on teams that have been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, four Meritorious Unit Commendations and six Navy “E” Ribbons. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).

Executive Officer

CDR Sean H. McCrink, USN

Commander Sean McCrink is a native of New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2001 and a Master of Science in Operations Research from Naval Postgraduate School in 2014. He received his commission via Officer Candidate School in June 2002 and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in the E-2C Hawkeye in May 2004.

Commander McCrink’s fleet assignments include a junior officer tour with the “Golden Hawks” of VAW-112 where he served as Aviation Safety Officer, Assistant Operations, and Avionics Division Officer. While assigned to VAW-112, he completed two deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He served as N1, Administrative Department Head for Commander Carrier Strike Group NINE, completing two deployments onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). He completed his Department Head tour with the “Liberty Bells” of VAW-115 while forward deployed to Atsugi Japan, serving as the Administrative, Safety, Operations, and Maintenance Department Head.

Commander McCrink’s shore assignments include a tour with the “Wildcats” of Training Squadron Ten at NAS Pensacola, Florida as a T-1 Intermediate Instructor Naval Flight Officer (NFO). Ground duties included billets as Academic Instructor, Flight Commander, Schedules Writer, and Assistant Operations Officer. While there, he was awarded the Pensacola Lion’s Club and TRARON TEN NFO Instructor of the Year for 2009. He served as the J7 Department Head, Director of Training, Tactics, and Exercises at Cruise Missile Support Activity, Pacific, where he was recognized as the USSTRATCOM, Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Field Grade Officer of the Year for 2019.

Prior to serving as the Executive Officer for the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, University of Notre Dame, he was the Assistant Air Officer onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) in Norfolk, VA.

Personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various other unit, campaign, and service awards.