John N. Christenson
John Nels Christenson (born 1958) is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy who last served as the United States Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee, in Brussels, Belgium. He was the 53rd President of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island from March 2011 to July 2013. Early years The fourth of six sons of a U.S. Navy Douglas A-1 Skyraider pilot and a Navy nurse, Christenson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981. He graduated with distinction and first in his class from the Naval War College in March 1993, earning his master's degree in national security and strategic studies. He was also a Navy Federal Executive Fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Naval career At sea, Christenson commanded the guided-missile frigate ; Destroyer Squadron 21 aboard the aircraft carrier ; and Carrier Strike Group 12 in the Carrier Strike Group. He also served as the antisubmarine warfare officer and main propulsion assistant aboard the frigate ; aide to the Commander of Cruiser-Destroyer Group 1 aboard the guided-missile cruiser ; weapons officer aboard the frigate ; Destroyer Squadron 21 combat systems officer aboard the aircraft carrier