A native of Puyallup, Washington, Cmdr. Christopher Otto graduated from Tulane University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science dual degree in Finance and Accounting. Otto was designated a Naval Aviator in May 2004 and completed Non-resident Joint Professional Military Education Phase 1 at the Air Command and Staff College in December 2016.
His previous operational tours include the “World Famous Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TWO (HS-2), where he served as Administration Officer and deployed in support of multiple Pacific Rim Theater Security Cooperation exercises on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in 2006. While attached to the staff of Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8), he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and deployed on USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) in support of Operations UNIFIED PROTECTOR, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and Horn of Africa Support Against Violent Extremist (SAVE) operations in 2011. In 2013, Otto reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron NINE (HSC-9) for his Aviation Department Head tour. He served as the Training Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer and deployed on CVN 77 in support of the Crimean crisis, Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE in 2014. While deployed he was Officer in Charge of a rotary wing detachment to Udairi, Kuwait, where he provided proficiency training to Army Apache helicopters and Special Forces units in support of theater operations.
Ashore, Otto served as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor for Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic Detachment Jacksonville, FL (HSCWSL DET. JAX). While at HSCWSL DET. JAX he served as the Antisubmarine Warfare Program Manager, Special Operations Program Manager, Aircrew Survival Radio Program Manager, and Advanced Readiness Program Manager. At USSTRATCOM he served as the Executive Assistant to the Plans and Policy Director (Lieutenant General Nina M. Armagno, USSF, ret.), the Deputy Plans and Policy Director (Now Vice Admiral Jeffrey T. Jablon), and in the Contingency Plans Division (J52) as a USCENTCOM and USEUCOM focused Strategic Planner and Analyst. Starting in 2018, Otto served at Navy Personnel Command (NPC) as the Deputy Director, Career Progression Division (PERS-80B). As PERS-80B, he was the primary NPC advisor and board sponsor for all Navy statutory and enlisted administrative selection boards, including all boards executed during the 2019 Coronavirus Global Pandemic. His most recent assignment beginning in 2021 was the Executive Officer of the Tulane Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit, serving Tulane University and four crosstown affiliated universities in New Orleans, LA.
In addition to various campaigns, service, and unit awards, Otto’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). He has amassed over 1900 flight hours in various naval aircraft.
Last Updated: 14 February 2024