Commander Cameron A. Carlson, DrPH
Executive Officer, NROTC Hampton Roads
Commander Cameron A. Carlson currently serves as the Executive Officer for the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit at Hampton Roads. A career Surface Warfare Officer with 17 years of service in the United States Navy, Commander Carlson brings extensive operational and academic experience to his role in developing the next generation of naval leaders.
Commander Carlson began his career aboard USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG-51), where he served as the Main Propulsion Officer and later as Navigator. Following his initial sea tours, he earned a Master of Arts in Homeland Defense and Security from the Naval Postgraduate School聽in Monterey, California. He subsequently served as an instructor at the Surface Navigator Course in Newport, Rhode Island.
His Department Head assignments included duty as the Chief Engineer aboard USS GONZALEZ (DDG-66)聽and as the Materials Officer (N4) for Destroyer Squadron 26, where he oversaw material readiness for six surface combatants. Later, as a member of U.S. Second Fleet, Commander Carlson served as a Current Operations Officer and Battle Watch Captain, where he also worked closely with Fleet Medical leadership to coordinate and manage COVID-19 operational responses, leveraging his public health expertise to support force health protection and mission continuity. Prior to his current assignment, he deployed as the Damage Control Assistant aboard USS BATAAN (LHD-5)聽during combat operations in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.
In addition to his military education, Commander Carlson holds a Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH)聽with a specialization in Epidemiology from Capella University, awarded in 2020. He has been published in multiple strategic and medical journals, focusing on the intersections of public health, operational readiness, and crisis response in complex environments.
Commander Carlson's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.