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Captain Charles McLenithan

Deputy Director & Chief of Staff, PAE Strategic Systems Programs

WASHINGTON (Jan. 24, 2023) - Official photo of U.S. Navy Capt. Charles McLenithan, the deputy director and chief of staff at U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). Capt. McLenithan serves as a member of the SSP Board of Directors and also as the chief of staff, Echelon I for Naval Nuclear Weapons Oversight Program (CNO N00NW) which provides regulatory oversight for the Navy Nuclear Deterrence Mission (NNDM) and technical authority on Department of the Navy Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Weapons systems. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)
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Capt. Charles McLenithan is a native of Sanger, California and earned his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1997, receiving a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering. His post-graduate education includes a Master of Science in engineering management from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.
 
His operational tours include junior officer on USS Nevada (SSBN 733B), USS Greeneville (SSN 772), and USS Buffalo (SSN 715). He later served as combat systems officer on USS Columbus (SSN 762) and as executive officer on USS Louisiana (SSBN 743G). He was the commanding officer of USS Tennessee (SSBN 734B) and most recently Commander, Submarine Squadron 17.
 
McLenithan’s staff assignments include Commander, Submarine Force; U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) midshipman training officer; deputy director for Strategic Forces at COMSUBPAC; and Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) Combat Readiness Evaluation Team senior member. He later served as director for Strategic Forces at COMSUBLANT and director of operations for the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander – Strategic.
 
In February 2023, he assumed the post of deputy director and chief of staff for Strategic Systems Programs. McLenithan is also dual-hatted as chief of staff, Echelon I for Naval Nuclear Weapons Oversight Program (CNO N00NW) which provides regulatory oversight for the Navy Nuclear Deterrence Mission and technical authority on Department of the Navy Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Weapons systems.
 
Among other personal decorations, McLenithan proudly served on teams that earned the Navy Unit Commendation medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Battle Efficiency ‘E’, and the Arleigh Burke Award.
 

Last Updated: 12 June 2026

 

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