Cmdr. Gudknecht, Brian
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, USS Ross (DDG 71)
14 July 2025
CDR Gudknecht received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 2007. He was commissioned in December 2008 through the Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island.A Surface Warfare Officer, Brian served aboard USS STERETT (DDG 104) from January 2009 to July 2011. While onboard, he served as the Gunnery Officer and the Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Gun Liaison Officer (GLO) and participated in STERETT's maiden deployment. In October 2011, CDR Gudknecht reported to USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52) as the Auxiliary Officer. While onboard, he deployed to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) and assumed duties as the Ship’s Maintenance Management Officer (SMMO).
As a Department Head, Brian served aboard USS STOUT (DDG 55) from June 2017 to June 2020 as the Chief Engineer, deploying to the 5th and 6th Fleets during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this, Brian served as both the N3/N4 on the Destroyer Squadron 26staff, where he oversaw the employment and material readiness of four DDGs.
Ashore, CDR Gudknecht served as the 16th Company Officer at the United States Naval Academy, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Leadership and Education from the University of Maryland. Later, Brian served on the Joint Staff in the J35 directorate, managing Global Force Management for all afloat forces.
Most recently, CDR Gudknecht reported as the Executive Officer of USS ROSS (DDG 71) in June 2025.
CDR Gudknecht has received various personal and unit-level awards.