Captain Ted Carlson is a native of Orange County, California and a graduate of San Diego State University. CAPT Carlson enlisted in the Navy in 1989 and served ten years as a Data Systems Technician. He attended San Diego State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History, and was commissioned through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1999.
At sea, he served as commanding officer of USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) from July 2016 to January 2018. While in command, GRAVELY completed a sixteen million dollar selected-restricted availability and completed the first ever testing of the SQQ-89A (V) 15 ACB 13 USW Combat System Suite.
CAPT Carlson’s other sea duty assignments include as the Damage Control Assistant and Fire Control Officer on board USS THACH (FFG 43); as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer on board USS BARRY (DDG 52); as Executive Officer on board USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) and as the Chief of Staff for Commodore, Amphibious Squadron Five.
Throughout his career he has completed multiple deployments and supported numerous operations including OPERATION RESTORE HOPE, SOUTHERN WATCH, NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and the Non-Combatant Evacuation of Lebanon.
Ashore, he served as the Commanding Officer of Naval Base San Diego, as the Joint Operations Center Team Chief in the U.S. European Command Plans and Operations Center, as lead Civil Support planner of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command; as the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Requirements Officer for Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic; as the Director of Integrated Air and Missile Defense to Commanding Officer, Tactical Training Group Pacific and as the Assistant Chief of Staff to Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific for Cruiser/Destroyer Current Readiness. CAPT Carlson is currently serving as the Chief of Staff to Commander, Navy Region Hawaii.
As a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, he received a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs as well as graduating the Naval War College Joint Professional Military Education program. He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College Joint and Combined Warfighting School.
Personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Last Updated: 8 August 2023