Lieutenant Commander Vantrako Crockett assumed the role of acting commanding officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Dam Neck Activity (DNA) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, June 2025, after he reported as the executive officer on April 21, 2025.
Crockett hails from French Camp, Mississippi. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in education. His career in the military began with his first Division Officer tour on the USS ROSS (DDG 71), where he served as both Main Propulsion and Electrical Officer from September 2010 to May 2013. During his tenure, he deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) with the HARRY S. TRUMAN Strike Group. His second Division Officer tour was onboard the USS OSCAR AUSTIN (DDG 79), serving as a Training Officer from June 2013 to December 2014, where he deployed to the 6th Fleet AOR.
Crockett transitioned to his first shore tour at Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic from January 2015 to November 2016, earning a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University. He then moved to Newport, Rhode Island, to teach at the Surface Warfare Schools Command from December 2016 to March 2018, where he taught the Advanced Division Officer Course. He completed his first department head tour onboard the USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) from December 2018 to May 2020 as the Operations Officer, deploying to the 5th Fleet AOR. He then fleeted up on USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) from September 2020 to May 2022, completing his second department head tour as the Combat Systems Officer and Plans and Tactics Officer, where he deployed to the 6th and 5th Fleet AOR. He deployed to the 7th Fleet AOR while serving at Carrier Strike Group 11 from July 2022 to January 2024 as the Assistant Surface Operations Officer and Flag Tomahawk Land Attack Missile Officer. He attended the U.S. Naval War College from March 2024 to March 2025 where he earned a Master of Arts in defense and strategic studies.
Throughout his career, Crockett has received numerous military awards, including a Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and several unit and service awards.