CDR David Beam
Commanding Officer
USS Colorado (SSN 788)
CDR Beam was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program and graduated from Drexel University in 2004 earning a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. Following commissioning, Beam completed Naval Nuclear Power Training in Charleston, SC.
At sea, he earned his Submarine Warfare Qualification in 2005 aboard USS Connecticut (SSN 22), served as Navigator/Operations Officer aboard USS Pasadena (SSN 752) from 2011-2015, and Executive Officer of USS Vermont (SSN 792) from 2017-2019. In 2018 Beam served a secondment to the Royal Navy aboard HMS Astute (SSN 119) for her maiden deployment. He has deployed experience in the EUCOM, SOUTHCOM, and INDO-PACOM areas of responsibility.
Ashore, Beam served as special operations assistant (N341) on Commander Submarine Group Seven staff in Yokosuka, Japan, he served as Operational Support Liaison for the Research and Development Support Activity, and as Fleet Training Department Director at Naval Submarine School, Groton, CT. He earned a master’s degree in National Strategic Studies with a specialization as a Naval Advanced Strategist at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.
LCDR Matt Swezey
Executive Officer
USS Colorado (SSN 788)
LCDR Matt Swezey is a native of Cohoes, New York, and a 2009 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned his commission and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He attended graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 2016 earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture.
Following commissioning he qualified as a Marine Engineering Diving Officer at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida. He then completed nuclear officer training before reporting to the Fast Attack Submarine, USS ASHEVILLE (SSN-758), in San Diego, California. During his first sea tour he qualified in Submarines and completed deployments to Southern Command and the Western Pacific.
LCDR Swezey was assigned to the Ballistic Missile Submarine, USS ALASKA (SSBN-732)(BLUE), stationed in Kings Bay, Georgia as the Engineer Officer. While onboard ALASKA the ship has conducted four strategic deterrent patrols. The ship was twice awarded the Submarine Squadron Twenty Battle "E" and the Omaha Trophy for 2019.
While ashore LCDR Swezey served as the Aide-de-Camp to the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David Berger, and as a Strategy and Liaison Officer on the OPNAV Staff Undersea Warfare Division, N97.
LCDR Swezey is currently serving as the Executive Officer of the Virginia Class Fast Attack Submarine, USS COLORADO (SSN-788), in Groton, CT. He is married to Bridget Swezey, and they have two children, Nolan (4), and Nora (1).
CSSCS(SS) Mark Shipley
CHIEF OF THE BOAT
USS COLORADO (SSN 788)
Master Chief Shipley was born in Chicago, IL. He graduated high school from Rich East in Park Forest, IL. He enlisted in the Navy in August of 2000 and completed Recruit Training at Great Lakes, IL. In October 2000.
After Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) and MS "A" school, his first sea assignment was USS NEBRASKA (SSBN739)(BLUE) from
April 2001 to March 2004 homeported in Kings Bay, GA. While onboard he earned his Submarine Warfare device, made 6 deterrent patrols, and was command advanced to MS2.
He transferred to Submarine Group 10 as the Flag MS from March 2004 to January 2005. He then transferred to the USS PHILADELPHIA (SSN 690) homeported in Groton, CT. He was stationed onboard from January 2005 to July 2008. During his tour onboard PHILADELPHIA, he made 2 deployments, was command advanced to First Class Petty Officer, He was the LPO and finished his tour as the Leading Culinary Specialist. After completion of this tour, he transferred to Naval Submarine Support Center Groton, CT from July 2008 to January 2012 where he was directly in charge of 22 submarine galleys. In March of 2009 he volunteered for assignment as an Individual Augmented to Bagram, Afghanistan. With "boots on ground" in Afghanistan, he opened two Dinning Facilities and was one of two First Class Petty Officers allowed to be a Guard Force Commander in the Detention Facility a duty normally reserved for a Chief Petty Officer or above. He returned to NSSC Groton in May 2010. He stayed with NSSC for another year and half advancing to Chief Petty Officer before transferring to the USS HARTFORD (SSN 768) in early January of 2012 and assumed duties as the Supply Department Chief. His tour on HARTFORD consisted of an extended dry dock period, two deployments and an ICEX in which he was selected to Senior Chief Petty Officer and the command was awarded the Submarine Squadron 4 Battle Efficiency "E". In July 2016 he transferred to Navy Food Management Team Norfolk, New London detachment Senior Chief Shipley assisted in daily operations, assisting leading CS 's and training CS's. In July 2019, he was transferred to PCU IOWA (SSN797) to serve as the Chief of the Boat and in February 2021 he transferred to USS COLORADO (SSN 788) to serve as Chief of the Boat.
Master Chief Shipley's' personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation (1), Army Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6), Battle "E" (2), Good Conduct Medal (6), along with various unit, campaign, and service awards. Senior Chief Shipley is married to Heather K. Shipley of Carbondale, IL. They have one child Luke Jay Shipley (9) and reside in Gales Ferry, CT.