Cmdr. Nathaniel R. Shick

Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12

26 August 2025

Cmdr. Nathaniel Shick is a native of Saint Leonard, Maryland. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College and Maritime Advanced Warfighting School in 2012.

Shick served as 75th in Command of USS Constitution, America’s Ship of State, from November 2017 to February 2020. Prior to command, Shick served as Executive Officer in USS Normandy (CG 60) from 2015 to 2016, sailing in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the Arabian Gulf.  He completed his department head tours in USS Howard (DDG 83) as Weapons and Combat Systems Officer from 2008 to 2011, sailing in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Struggle Against Violent Extremists (SAVE) in the Red and Arabian Seas. Division officer tours included service as Combat Information Center Officer in USS Cleveland (LPD 7), from 2003 to 2005, sailing with the Magnificent Seven (Amphibious Task Force-West) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as Communications Officer in USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968), from 2001 to 2003, sailing in company with Standing Forces NATO – Mediterranean.

Ashore, Shick served most recently as U.S. Fleet Forces Command’s Future Plans Branch Chief under N5 – Fleet Policy, Plans and International Engagement, from 2020 to 2023. Prior to command, he served as Operations Officer for Afloat Training Group Atlantic, 2016 to 2017, as a Functional Plans Officer for Commander, Pacific Fleet N5 – Plans and Policy Directorate, 2012 to 2014, and as an All-Source U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Collections Manager for the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2005 to 2007.

He assumed duties as Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 in June 2025, after serving as Flag Operations Officer since November 2023.

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.