Meet the Crew
CDR Tad Robbins
Commanding Officer
CDR Tad Robbins, a Brazil, IN native, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
After completion of nuclear propulsion training in Charleston, SC and initial submarine officer training in Groton, CT, he reported to his first submarine, USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) homeported in Kings Bay, GA, where he served in multiple division officer roles and completed four strategic deterrent patrols. He served as the Engineer Officer on USS Columbus (SSN 762), completing Western Pacific and Southern Command deployments, and later served as the Executive Officer on USS Santa Fe (SSN 763), completing one Western Pacific deployment.
While ashore, CDR Robbins served as the submarine division officer shore duty detailer at Naval Personnel Command (PERS-42) in Millington, TN, and served as the Engineer Officer for the Commander, Submarine Squadron One. He completed his most recent assignment ashore as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
LCDR Chris Whitley
Executive Officer
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Chris Whitley, a Middletown, MD native, graduated from Virginia Tech in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering and received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
After completing the nuclear training pipeline, he reported aboard USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740 [Blue]) in Kings Bay, GA, where he served in multiple division officer roles and completed four strategic deterrent patrols. After completing the Submarine Officer Advanced Course (SOAC), LCDR Whitley served as the Combat Systems Officer on board the USS Colorado (SSN 788), completing initial construction, sea trials, and multiple at-sea certifications and testing.
While ashore, LCDR Whitley served as the Officer Training Lead in the Operations Branch (SP205) at Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, DC, and served as the Fleet Integration Director at the Submarine Learning Center in Groton, CT.
Personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit awards.
ETVCS (SS/IW) Alex Jones
Chief of the Boat
A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Senior Chief Jones enlisted in the Navy on December 11, 2002. He graduated submarine navigation electronics technician “A” and “C” school in Groton, Connecticut. He later graduated from the Submarine Assistant Navigator course and attended both the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 219 Khaki) and the Chief of the Boat / Command Master Chief Course.
Senior Chief Jones reported to USS Charlotte (SSN 766) in January of 2004 after completion of his initial training. He served again aboard the USS Charlotte (SSN 766) as the Leading Petty Officer of Navigation Division in 2012; there he was selected for Chief Petty Officer in 2013. He reported to USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), where he served as the Assistant Navigator and Navigation / Operations Department Enlisted Advisor until September 2017. He was advanced to Senior Chief in June of 2016. Senior Chief Jones currently serves as the Chief of the Boat aboard USS North Carolina (SSN 777).
In January of 2009, he reported to his first shore duty assignment at Commander Submarine Forces Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Virginia. From 2017 to 2020 he was assigned as the Squadron Assistant Navigator to the Commander of Submarine Squadron Seven in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Senior Chief Jones is entitled to wear the Enlisted Submarine Warfare and Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist pins, the Navy Commendation Medal (Three Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Five Awards), and various campaign, service and unit awards.
