Chris Stephenson was raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and later attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in systems engineering. He was commissioned in May of 2003, attended The Basic School and the Marine Air Traffic Control (ATC) Officers Course, and was subsequently assigned to MACG-38, MACS-1, Det A in Camp Pendleton, CA. 1stLt Stephenson served as the 13th MEU MMT Leader and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) where he developed airspace measures and communication architectures that supported MEU operations. During his subsequent tour to OIF, he served as the MACS-1 (Fwd) Operations Officer responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing ATC operations within the Marine area of responsibility.
In 2007, Capt Stephenson was assigned as the MCAS New River Air Traffic Control (ATC) Facility Officer where he led approximately 40 Marines and 11 DoD civilians in the management of local airspace. During this tour, he also coordinated with Naval Facilities to raise the existing ATC control tower by 20’ to resolve a visual obstruction and oversaw a national airspace modernization to the radar facility. In 2010, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a master degree in electrical engineering.
In 2012, Maj Stephenson was assigned as a Project Officer at the Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar program office in Quantico, VA where he managed several projects within the Air Defense/Surveillance (Block 1) and Expeditionary Airport Surveillance Radar (Block 4) efforts. Specific projects included Program Protection/Anti-Tamper, Identify Friend or Foe Mode 5 upgrades, and the HMMWV-based Communication Shelter. In 2014, Maj Stephenson served as the Test Director for the program’s inaugural attendance at Black Dart and the Strategic Capabilities Office Rail Gun Program demonstration.
In 2016, he assumed the duties of Operations Officer at Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) in Camp Pendleton, CA responsible for current operations and the development and delivery of a representative Landing Forces Operations Center to better facilitate naval integration testing. In June 2018, he served as the Executive Officer for MCTSSA.
In 2019, LtCol Stephenson was assigned as the Assistant Program Manager Tactical Communications for the U.S. Special Operations Command (Joint-billet) in Tampa, FL. In February 2020, he assumed the duties of Program Manager Tactical Communications responsible for a diverse portfolio of radios, satellites, compute and storage, and end user devices for all SOCOM theater forces.
In 2023, LtCol Stephenson attended the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, VA earning a masters in strategic studies. After graduation, he was then assigned as the Product Manager Vehicle Systems for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program in Selfridge, MI responsible for the procuring, production, and fielding of JLTVs for the Army and Marine Corps. In 2025, Col Stephenson was assigned as the interim Program Manager for Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) responsible for the sustainment of over 600 fielded LAV vehicles and the competitive development of its replacement, the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle. In 2026, Col Stephenson was selected as the Commanding Officer, MCTSSA.