Rear Admiral Cameron Chen, a native of La Jolla, CA, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and holds a Master of Science in Applied Physics from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

A career Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer, his operational experience includes deployments aboard USS Guardian (MCM 5), as a Platoon Commander in Fallujah, Iraq, and with Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He commanded Task Force 68 in Rota, Spain, directing Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces in support of U.S. 6th Fleet and NATO operations in Europe and Africa. He also commanded the EOD Squadron at Naval Special Warfare Development Group. RDML Chen completed multiple shipboard deployments in the Pacific and Central theaters, as well as ground combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan supporting U.S. Marine Corps and Joint Special Operations Task Forces.

Ashore, he commanded the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, earning safety excellence awards for his leadership. His staff assignments include the Joint Staff Global Operations Directorate (JS J39) and various requirements, resourcing, and budgetary assessment roles within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), focusing on Navy Expeditionary Combat and Mine Countermeasures.

A designated EOD Warfare, Deep Sea Diving, Surface Warfare Officer, and Naval Parachutist, RDML Chen is conversant in Mandarin and a Life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is proud to have served in EOD, U.S. Marine Corps, and Naval Special Warfare units awarded multiple Presidential Unit and Meritorious Unit Commendations.

RDML Chen is currently serving as the Deputy Director of Operations, U.S. Africa Command.

Last Updated: 8 December 2025