Charles S . Hamilton Charles Samuel Hamilton ( born c . 1952 ) is an award - winning rear admiral in the United States Navy . Hamilton is a native of Amityville , New York , and graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in May 1974 . He was commissioned in the Navy in May 1974 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Candidate ( NROTC ) . Hamilton ’ s sea tours include Electronics Material Officer and Combat Information Center Officer on board ( 1974 to 1976 ) ; Fire Control Officer and Missile Officer on board ( 1976 to 1978 ) ; Operations Officer on board ( 1981 to 1984 ) ; Executive Officer , ( 1986 to 1988 ) ; and Commanding Officer ( 1991 to 1993 ) . Hamilton ’ s shore tours include Anti - Submarine Warfare Program Analyst and Administrative Assistant to Director , Program Resource Appraisal Division ( OP - 91 ) , Office of the Chief of Naval Operations ( 1984 to 1986 ) ; Head AEGIS Destroyer Section ( OP - 355F ) and Financial Coordinator , AEGIS Cruiser Destroyer Branch , Office of the Chief of Naval Operations ( 1986 to 1988 ) ; and Military Staff Specialist for Naval Warfare in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense ( Acquisition & Technology ) ( 1994 to 1996 ) . In May 1996 , Hamilton became Program Manager for the Arsenal Ship , which was designed to provide massed precision fires in support of Fleet Commander ’ s warfighting requirements . After completing the first two design phases and passing significant acquisition reform lessons learned to the DD 21 Program Office , Hamilton closed down the Arsenal Ship Program in March 1998 . From April 1998 to February 2000 , Hamilton served as Deputy for Fleet in the Program Executive Office Theater Surface Combatants ( PEO TSC - F ) . In this position , he was responsible for Fleet Introduction and Lifetime Support of 120 surface combatants ( DDG 51 , CG 47 , DDG 993 , DD 963 , FFG 7 ) . Hamilton served as Program Executive Officer for Surface Strike ( PEO ( S ) ) from February 2000 until November 2002 . As PEO ( S ) , he managed the Zumwalt - class DD 21 / DD ( X ) , Naval Surface Fire Support ( NSFS ) , Advanced Land Attack Missile ( ALAM ) , Integrated Power System ( IPS ) , and Affordability Through Commonality ( ATC ) Programs , as well as the Littoral Combat Ship initiative . Hamilton became Deputy Program Executive Officer for Ships ( PEO Ships ) in November 2002 and in April 2003 was named Program Executive Officer for Ships . PEO Ships provides the Navy with a single , platform - focused organization responsible for the research , development , systems integration , construction , and lifecycle support of current and future surface combatant , amphibious and auxiliary ships to include : DD , FFG , DDG , CG , DDG 1000 , LCS , MCM , MHC , LPD - 17 , LHD , LHA ( R ) , Sealift Ships , CLF Ships , Special Mission Ships , Coast Guard Deepwater Support , Small Boats and Craft , Command Ships , and MSC vessels . Hamilton ’ s graduate education includes Naval Postgraduate School , Monterey , California , where he graduated with distinction , receiving a Masters of Arts in National Security Affairs ( 1981 ) , and the National War College where he graduated with distinction and was awarded a Master of Science in National Security Strategy ( 1994 ) . Hamilton ’ s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal ( oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award ) , Legion of Merit ( gold star in lieu of second award ) , Meritorious Service Medal ( with three gold stars ) , Navy Commendation Medal and various unit and service awards .