Cmdr. Christopher J. Polk relieved Cmdr. Gregory M. Zettler as commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) during a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 10.
Zettler became Norfolk’s 16th commanding officer November 18, 2011. He graduated from the Naval Academy in May of 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering. He has also earned a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Human Resource Development from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master’s Degree in National Security Resources from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He has received several decorations in his career.
Polk is a native of River Vale, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1997. Following commissioning, he completed nuclear power training in Orlando, Fla., and Ballston Spa, N.Y. Over the course of his career, he has served aboard USS Tennessee (SSBN 734B), as combat systems officer of USS Norfolk (SSN 714) and as executive officer of USS Georgia (SSGN 729B).
Fast-attack submarines like Norfolk have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary’s military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.
[mappress] Press Release, October 13, 2014; Image: US Navy