Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson

Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two

25 August 2023

Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering. He also earned a master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master’s degree in National Security from the Naval War College.

Nicholson’s previous Flag Officer Assignment was as Commander: Joint Region Marianas, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, Task Force West; and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Official for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau.

Nicholson’s sea duty assignments include commander and deputy commander, Destroyer Squadron 22; commanding officer and executive officer of USS Pinckney (DDG 91); commanding officer of USS Sentry (MCM 3), USS Gladiator (MCM 11), and USS Defender (MCM 2) as part of MCM Crew Swerve; chief engineer on USS O’Bannon (DD 987) and USS McFaul (DDG 74); and division officer on USS Mitscher (DDG 57).

His ashore combat tours include civil-military operations planner in the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Helmand, Afghanistan; and Commander of Provincial Reconstruction Team and Forward Operating Base, Farah, Afghanistan. He has also served in numerous ashore joint and staff billets to include executive assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; assistant deputy director Middle East Directorate (J5) in the Joint Staff; Special Operations Support Team to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and head of the professional development section (N131) in the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) staff.

His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various individual, campaign, and unit awards. He is also a 2015 recipient of the FBI Director’s Award.