Commanding Officer

CAPT John Krisciunas received his commission through NROTC at Washington State University in 1997. He earned a master’s degree from the U.S. Naval War College and completed a research Fellowship at MIT.

As a Surface Warfare Officer, after initially completing his Division Officer and Dept Head assignments, his operational tours as a Lieutenant Commander include: Commanding Officer of the Minesweepers USS ARDENT (MCM 12 ) and USS CHIEF (MCM 14); As a Commander, he served as the Commanding Officer of the Aegis Destroyer USS FORREST SHERMAN (DDG 98); As a Captain, he served as the Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 22, where he had seven Destroyers and over 2000 personnel under his command.
He has deployed to the Pacific, Atlantic, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean areas of operation.

During his non-operational assignments, he served as an assistant Chief of Staff at Surface Force HQs, where he assumed numerous positions at the Pentagon as a program manager, strategic planner, and Chief of Staff. He also served on the Hill as the Military Aide to a U.S. Congressman.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various other personal and campaign awards..

He assumed his current duties in July of 2025 as the Auburn-Tuskegee NROTC Consortium Commanding Officer, Professor of Naval Science, and Dept Chair.