JD Kristenson is a graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power Program, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln, the Defense Language Institute, Tsinghua University, and Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Commander Kristenson has been serving as executive officer in USS Michael Murphy since May of 2021. He previously had command of USS Champion, and served at sea as (plankowner) operations officer in USS Jackson, operations officer in USS Forrest Sherman, (plankowner) navigator in USS Kidd, and auxiliaries officer in USS Boxer.
Ashore, Commander Kristenson has served as a speechwriter and special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander and is a joint-qualified officer. His professional affiliations include the George and Carol Olmsted Scholar Program, the John L. Thornton Center of the Brookings Institution, the China Maritime Studies Institute of the Naval War College, and the National Defense University’s Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction Program for Emerging Leaders. He co-authored the 2019 book release of The Naval Officer’s Guide.
He wears the Defense Meritorious Service Medal among other personal and unit awards, but is most proud of being a part of a Battle Effective team.