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 MASTER CHIEF

Nicolas Albanese
MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, UNITED STATES NAVY
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF, USS CONSTITUTION

Master Chief Petty Officer Albanese was born in Waltham, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the United States Navy on 21 Aug 2005, where he then attended Recruit Basic Training in Great Lakes, IL. After basic training he attended Seaman ATD School.

He reported to his first duty station USS Ford FFG-54 as an undesignated Seaman in December of 2005. While onboard he advanced from Seaman Recruit to Boatswain mate 2nd class, earning his Enlisted Surface Warfare qualification and both Deck and Unrep Safety qualifications. He worked his way to Work center Supervisor and ultimately Deck Division Leading Petty Officer. During his tour he completed 2 CARAT deployments, 2 MIO deployments and 1 RIMPAC.

In December of 2010 he reported to Naval Support Activity Gaeta. He was advanced to Petty Officer First Class in June of 2011 and served as Port Operations Leading Petty Officer. During his tour he earned a General Associate's Degree from the University of Maryland University College and his Harbor Master qualification. In January 2014 he reported to USS MUSTIN DDG-89 to serve as Deck Division Leading Petty Officer. He was selected to Chief Petty Officer in September 2014 and assumed the role of Deck Leading Chief Petty Officer. During his tour on MUSTIN he completed 6 FDNF-J patrols to include national tasking in the small boat recovery of the U.S Navy’s underwater unmanned vehicle from the Chinese P.L.A Navy. 

In April 2017 he reported onboard USS Ross DDG-71 as the Deck Leading Chief Petty Officer. He was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer in July 2018 and assumed the role of Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. During his tour on ROSS he completed 7 FDNF-E patrols to include operations in Arctic, Black and Red Sea’s. In May 2020 he reported to the United States Naval Academy to serve as 15th Company Senior Enlisted Leader and 3rd Battalion Leading Chief Petty Officer. He was selected for the Command Senior Chief program in February 2023.

Master Chief Petty Officer Albanese’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), and various service and campaign awards. He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 225 and COB/CMC Class 23130.