COMMANDING OFFICER

Crystal L. Schaefer
COMMANDER, UNITED STATES NAVY
78TH COMMANDING OFFICER
USS CONSTITUTION

Commander Crystal Schaefer is a native of Medford, WI and earned her commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program. She is a 2003 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and earned a master's degree in Business and Administration from the Carlson School of Management.

At sea, she served as Strike Officer onboard USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), Reactor Propulsion Division Officer onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Operations Officer onboard USS Pinckney (DDG 91), Chemistry and Radiological Controls Officer onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), and Assistant Reactor Officer onboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77).

Ashore, Crystal served as Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp, Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) Officer in Charge for U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy, and Prospective Commanding Officer Course Coordinator at the Surface Warfare Schools Command in Newport, RI.

Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (four awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.

Commander Schaefer assumed duties as the 78th Commanding Officer of USS Constitution on June 21, 2024.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Kylen D. Lemenager
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, UNITED STATES NAVY
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, USS CONSTITUTION

Lieutenant Commander Kylen Lemenager is a native of Ashkum, IL. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where earned a Bachelor’s of Art in Accounting. He enlisted as a Nuclear Machinist’s Mate in October of 2011 and later commissioned as an Ensign in the Surface Warfare Officer community via Officer Candidate School in October of 2013. He later earned his Masters of Science in Systems Engineering Analysis at the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, CA in 2020.

LCDR Lemenager spent nearly three years of service as the Assistant Navigation and Auxiliaries Division Officer aboard USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) stationed in San Diego, CA. During this tour he deployed to 5th and 7th FLEET Areas of Responsibilities in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Deterrence Operations, earning his Officer of the Deck, Surface Warfare Officer and Engineering Officer of the Watch qualifications.

His next assignment was on DESTROYER SQUADRON ONE (CDS 1) staff in San Diego, CA, where he served as the N3A. During this tour, he embarked the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) for two deployments to the 7 th FLEET AOR in support of Deterrence Operations and Forward Presence, and earning his Staff Tactical Action Officer qualification.

After nearly six years of sea duty, LCDR Lemenager was selected for Naval Post-Graduate School and then finished out his shore duty as an Advanced Division Officer Course instructor at the Surface Warfare Officer Schools Command in Newport, RI where he specialized in ship handling training for numerous platforms.

Upon completion of Department Head School, LCDR Lemenager reported to USS SPRUANCE (DDG 111) as the Chief Engineer. Here he deployed to the 7 th FLEET AOR in support of Deterrence Operations and Forward Presence as a part of CARRIER STRIKE GROUP THREE, completed a compressed Selected Restricted Availability, and was integral to the MOB-D and MOB-E certification prior to his departure.

After USS SPRUANCE (DDG 111), LCDR Lemenager took the N4 billet at DESTROYER SQUADRON TWO-ONE (CDS 21) staff in San Diego, CA. Here he ensured material readiness for up to seven Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers. As the Senior Watch Officer he spearheaded the Zulu watch floor qualification and execution as part of the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN STRIKE GROUP (ABESG) during a C5F and C7F deployment.

His current assignment is onboard the USS CONSTITUTION as the Executive Officer. Here he ensures that the historic frigate is protected, preserved, and promoted to the world.

LCDR Lemenager’s personal military awards and decorations include three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit and service awards. He currently resides in Charlestown, MA with his wife Danielle Troxell.

COMMAND SENIOR CHIEF

JIMMIE L. CARTER III
SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, UNITED STATES NAVY
COMMAND SENIOR CHIEF, USS CONSTITUTION

Command Senior Chief Carter is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After graduating from Greenfield High School in 2006, he enlisted in the United States Navy in October 2007. Upon completing basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended Aviation Electronics Technician “A” School in Pensacola, Florida, before reporting to Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16) in Jacksonville, Florida. There, he served within the Maintenance Department, performing aircraft and avionics maintenance, troubleshooting, and plane captain duties on the P-3 Orion. While assigned to VP-16, he advanced to Third and Second Class Petty Officer.

In 2013, Senior Chief Carter transferred to Navy Recruiting District Chicago (NRD Chicago), where he served as a Recruiter and Leading Petty Officer at Navy Recruiting Station Milwaukee. During his tour, he was meritoriously advanced to First Class Petty Officer.

In 2016, Senior Chief Carter reported to USS Makin Island (LHD 8) in San Diego, California, serving as the Calibration Lab Leading Petty Officer and later as the Production Control Chief. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 2019 and subsequently served as the Training Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.

Following his tour aboard Makin Island, he reported to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, as a Recruit Division Commander. In 2022, he was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer and served as a Ship Leading Chief Petty Officer and Senior Enlisted Leader.

In 2024, Senior Chief Carter reported to the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island, where he served as a Faculty Advisor.

In September 2025, Senior Chief Carter assumed the position of Command Senior Chief of USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat.

Command Senior Chief Carter is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 261) and CMC/COB course (Class 25-130). His warfare qualifications include Aviation Warfare, Surface Warfare, and Information Warfare. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (seven awards), Armed Forces Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various other campaign and service awards.

He has three children: Anthony, Azaria, and Ariya