Charles Rock takes command of Naval District Washington

By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

Charles “Chip” Rock Jr., a former resident of Baldwinsville, has been promoted to the rank of rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.

Rock received word of his promotion in July. He is one of 24 Navy officers whom President Barack Obama nominated for advancement, according to a July 1 release from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

In addition to his advancement in rank, Rock was named the 90th commandant of Naval District Washington, relieving Rear Adm. Yancy Lindsey.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to be selected for promotion. It’s not something that I aspired to be, but provides opportunity to continue to serve our nation and navy,” Rock told the Messenger in an email. “Moreover, it’s an opportunity for me to support our sailors and their families, and empowered them with the tools and resources they need to accomplish their mission.”

Rock’s father, Charles “Chuck” Rock Sr., told the Messenger that the family moved to Radisson in 1974. Rear Adm. Rock attended Palmer Elementary and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 80. He went on to graduate from Baker High School in 1982.

“As long as I can remember, I wanted to be in the Navy. I’m not sure what initially fueled this desire, perhaps in part it was my love of the ocean and being around water, which eventually grew into a calling to serve my country,” Rear Adm. Rock said.

“He had an appointment to the Naval Academy, but he had his heart set on this ocean engineering program, so he gave up his space at the academy,” Chuck Rock said.

Rear Adm. Rock attended Texas A&M University. He entered the Navy through the university’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program, which gave him a scholarship, and went on to earn a master’s in national security strategy from the National War College.

“The scholarship came with a commitment of four years of service, and at that point I would have never imagined that the Navy would become a lifelong career or that I would have the privilege to become part of its rich history,” Rock said.

Rock served for two years on the USS Cole. A year after he left the USS Cole, suicide bombers attacked the vessel while it was docked at Aden, Yemen, on Oct. 12, 2000. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed 17 sailors and injured 39.

Also notable among Rock’s assignments is the High Speed Vessel SWIFT, where he served as commanding officer and participated in a rescue mission during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Rock also commanded the Fleet Activities Sasebo, a joint naval base in Japan.

Most recently, Rock was chief of staff for the Navy Installations Command. Among his awards are the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Joint Commendation Medal, five awards of the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal and more.

“He’s brought the whole family together — we’re extremely proud of him and his accomplishments,” Chuck Rock said.

According to his father, Rear Adm. Rock will continue to serve in the Navy “so long as I feel I’m able to contribute.”

“I have stayed in the Navy because I deeply believe in importance of our mission. I am grateful for every opportunity the Navy has afforded me,” Rock said. “From education and travel to, more importantly, leading amazing men and women who have sworn to protect and defend our great nation, I can’t think of anything that I’d rather be doing.”