Capt. Stefan Walch
Chief of Staff, Naval Surface Force Atlantic
28 March 2023
Captain Walch is the Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic. Raised in Kennewick, Washington, he enlisted in 1987 and served as a Sonar Technician aboard USS England (CG-22) while participating in deployed operations including Desert Shield. Accepted into the Enlisted Commissioning Program during a subsequent assignment to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center Pacific, he received his commission as a Surface Warfare Officer in 1997.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University, a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University and is a Joint Qualified Officer.
Sea duties include Command of Destroyer Squadron Two during the Gerald R. Ford Strike Group’s inaugural deployment in 2022 and Command of USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) in which he deployed to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group from 2015 to 2016. Other sea duty assignments include USS Rentz (FFG 46) as First Lieutenant, USS Decatur (DDG 73) as Combat Information Center Officer, USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) as Weapons/Combat Systems Officer, and Flag Secretary to Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12 embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during its final deployment.
Ashore, he served as Branch Chief on the Joint Staff for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (J8), Action Officer in the Strategic Mobility and Combat Logistics Force Division for the Chief of Naval Operations (N42) and Surface Operations Officer at Pacific Fleet Headquarters (N31).
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit and Defense Meritorious Service medal as well as various campaign and unit awards.