Cmdr. Justin M. Neff
Commanding Officer, USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS 21)
31 August 2023
Commander Neff is a native of Fishkill, New York and he enlisted in the Navy in September of 1996 as a Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) rising to the rank of First Class Petty Officer before he subsequently earned a commission through the Seaman To Admiral 21 program in May of 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Old Dominion University in May 2006.
At sea, CDR Neff’s assignments as a Division Officer were aboard USS PORTER (DDG 78) as the Navigator, Electrical Officer, Main Propulsion Officer and Gunnery Officer deploying twice in support of counter piracy operations off of the Horn Of Africa. He completed his Department Head tours as Chief Engineer aboard USS TRUXTUN (DDG 103) and USS ANZIO (CG 68) where he deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Ashore, CDR Neff earned his Masters of Science in Computer Science and his JPME Phase I from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also served as a Seamanship, Navigation, Leadership and Engineering instructor and Class Officer for Officer Candidate School at Officer Training Command Newport. Upon completion of his Department Head tours, he served as a Project Officer, Engineering Assessor, and Senior Assessor at Engineering Assessments Atlantic. He then served as the Training and readiness Officer at Naval Surface Squadron FOURTEEN.
CDR Neff served as the Executive Officer aboard USS SIOUX CITY (LCS 11) Blue Crew where he deployed as part of the historic maiden Freedom variant LCS deployment to Sixth Fleet and Fifth Fleet prior to assuming command of USS MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL (LCS 21).
CDR Neff’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (6 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (5 awards), and various unit and service awards.