Craig S. Faller

Craig S. Faller
Vice Admiral Craig S. Faller in 2017
Born	1961/1962 (age 56–57)[1] Fryburg, Pennsylvania
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1983–present
Rank	Vice admiral[2]
Commands held	Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense
Battles/wars	Operation Enduring Freedom
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (5)

Craig Stephen Faller (born c. 1961) is a United States Navy admiral. A 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a native of Fryburg, Pennsylvania, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. He earned his master's in national security affairs (strategic planning) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990.

Faller assumed duty as senior military assistant to the secretary of defense in January 2017. In that position, he serves as the principal military advisor and assistant to the secretary of defense.

Biography

At sea, he served as reactor electrical division officer, electrical officer and reactor training assistant aboard USS South Carolina (CGN 37); operations officer aboard USS Peterson (DD 969); station officer aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and executive officer of USS John Hancock (DD 981). As commanding officer of USS Stethem (DDG 63), he deployed to the Persian Gulf and participated in maritime interception operations in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. During his tour as commanding officer of USS Shiloh (CG 67), he assisted victims of the devastating tsunami off Indonesia. Finally, as commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, he deployed to the Middle East supporting Operations New Dawn (Iraq) and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

Ashore, Faller was assigned to chief of legislative affairs for the secretary of the Navy; served as deputy chief of naval operations (Plans, Policy and Operations); served as a legislative fellow on the staff of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy; served as head of Surface Nuclear Officer Programs and Placement at Navy Personnel Command and served as executive assistant to the Chief of naval operations. Finally, he served as commander, Navy Recruiting Command; as executive assistant to the commander, U.S. Pacific Command and commander, U.S. Central Command; and as director of operations, U.S. Central Command.

Awards and decorations

Surface Warfare Officer Pin
Navy Distinguished Service Medal	Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with four gold award stars	Meritorious Service Medal with two award stars	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal	Joint Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three bronze service stars
Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device	National Defense Service Medal with service star	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal	Humanitarian Service Medal	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star
Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)	Navy Rifle Sharpshooter Ribbon
Command at Sea insignia
Department of Defense Identification Badge
Navy Recruiting Command Badge with Gold Wreath Award

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Navy document "Vice Admiral Craig S. Faller".