CDR Garth Storz
COMMANDING OFFICER
USS COLORADO (SSN 788)
Commander Garth Storz was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to LtCol William and Linda Storz. He enlisted in the Navy in 1997 and selected for the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program shortly after. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Nuclear Engineering and was commissioned via Officer Candidate School in 2002. He served as a Division Officer on USS MEMPHIS, Navigator on USS NEW HAMPSHIRE, and Executive Officer on USS DALLAS. CDR Storz has deployed on all of his sea duties respectively to the NORLANT/NORPAC, EUCOM, and CENTCOM AORs.
His shore assignments included Operations Officer for Submarine Squadron FOUR and Systems Development Department Head at Undersea Warfighting Development Center’s Tactical Analysis Group. He is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Commendation Medal (6 Awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
LCDR Jeremy W. Wheelis
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
USS COLORADO (SSN 788)
LCDR Jeremy Wheelis a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico commissioned into the Navy through the Naval Reserves Officer Training program from The University of New Mexico in December, 2006 where he obtained a BS in Electrical Engineering. After commissioning, he was assigned to USS Springfield (SSN-761) in May, 2008 following the completion of Nuclear Power training and Submarine Officer Basic Course.
In July 2011, he transferred to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, SC where he served as a Shift Engineer and oversaw the safe operation, maintenance, and training of a nuclear power plant. Following completion of Shift Engineer duty in South Carolina he opted to accept the third year sabbatical in order to obtain a MS in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
In May 2014, he reported to the USS Henry M. Jackson (GOLD) (SSBN-730) in Bangor, WA as the Engineer Officer. While on the Jackson he completed four Strategic Deterrent patrols, two dry docking refits and one Extended Refit Period (ERP). While on the Jackson he was ranked in the top 1/3 of all Engineers on the water front, was selected for XO and promoted to LCDR.
He reported in May 2018 to Commander Submarine Group SEVEN (COMSUBGRU 7) as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Material and Logistics-N4 (GRENG) to support the leading tip of the spear in forward deployed submarine operations. Following his tour at COMSUBGRU 7 he completed Submarine Command Course out of Groton Connecticut and reported aboard USS COLORADO (SSN-788) as Executive Officer.
His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (3 Awards), Navy Achievement Medal (4 awards) and various service and campaign awards.
CSSCS(SS) Mark Shipley
CHIEF OF THE BOAT
USS COLORADO (SSN 788)