# Craig S. Faller

Craig Stephen Faller (born 1961) is a retired United States Navy admiral. A 1983 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a native of Fryburg, Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. He earned his master's in national security affairs (strategic planning) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990.
Faller assumed duty as senior military assistant to the secretary of defense in January 2017. In that position, he served as the principal military advisor and assistant to the secretary of defense. On November 26, 2018, he succeeded Admiral Kurt W. Tidd as commander of United States Southern Command.

## Naval career

At sea, Faller served as reactor electrical division officer, electrical officer, and reactor training assistant aboard USS South Carolina (CGN-37); operations officer aboard USS Peterson (DD-969); station officer aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), and executive officer of USS John Hancock (DD-981). As commanding officer of USS Stethem, he deployed to the Persian Gulf and participated in maritime interception operations in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. During his tour as commanding officer of USS Shiloh (CG-67), he assisted victims of the devastating tsunami off Indonesia. Finally, as commander, Carrier Strike Group 3, he deployed to the Middle East, supporting Operations New Dawn (Iraq) and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).
Ashore, Faller was assigned to chief of legislative affairs for the Secretary of the Navy; served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy and Operations); served as a legislative fellow on the staff of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Ashore also served as head of Surface Nuclear Officer Programs and Placement at Navy Personnel Command and served as executive assistant to the Chief of naval operations. Finally, he served as commander, Navy Recruiting Command; as executive assistant to the commander, United States Pacific Command and commander, United States Central Command; and as Director of Operations, United States Central Command.
He retired from active duty on October 29, 2021, relinquishing command of SOUTHCOM to General Laura J. Richardson.

## Awards and decorations

Surface Warfare Officer Pin :
| Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster |
| Legion of Merit with four gold award stars | Meritorious Service Medal with two award stars | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars |
| Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal | Joint Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three bronze service stars |
| Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device | National Defense Service Medal with service star | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
| Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
| Armed Forces Service Medal | Humanitarian Service Medal | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star |
| Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon | Order of Naval Merit Admiral Padilla, Grand Cross (Colombia) | Military Medal for Distinguished Service, Grand Cross (Colombia) |
| Unidentified Medal (Colombia) | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | Navy Rifle Sharpshooter Ribbon |
| Command at Sea insignia |||
| United States Southern Command Badge |||
* Admiral Faller also received the Navy Recruiter Badge with gold wreath.