Commanding Officer
Captain John Gonser, United States Navy
Professor of Naval Science
CAPT Gonser is a native of Amityville, New York. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science Control Systems Engineering.
At Sea, CAPT Gonser served aboard USS HARTFORD (SSN 768), USS MICHIGAN (GOLD) (SSGN 727), and USS TENNESSEE (GOLD) (SSBN 734), conducting extended deployments to the Indo-Pacific and Central Command Areas of Responsibility and multiple nuclear deterrent patrols.
His staff assignments ashore include duty as NROTC instructor at Miami University; Congressional Liaison for Director, Submarine Warfare (OPNAV N87); Executive Assistant to Commander, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet; Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; and Branch Head for Submarine Systems, Sensors, and Weapons for Director Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97).
CAPT Gonser commanded USS CHEYENNE (SSN 773) from September 2017 to January 2021, successfully conducting two extended deployments to the Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility.
CAPT Gonser served on Navy teams that have been awarded the Naval Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Battle Efficiency “E” Awards. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (three awards).