Fryburg’s Faller earns spot in new administration

Faller is currently serving as chief of legislative affairs for the Secretary of the Navy.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Craig S. Faller

Faller will become Mattis’ top uniformed adviser, said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.

According to a “Military Times” report, Mattis has known Faller for several years. Faller worked for the retired Marine Corps general during his tenure as head of U.S. Central Command.

According to the Military Times report, in his role, Faller will have considerable influence during internal policy discussions.

Defense secretaries look to their advisers to provide candid,constructive advice on all manner of military operations and initiatives – and to speak up if they believe specific efforts are ill conceived.

The Military Times report noted Faller has served in the Navy for nearly 34 years, most recently as chief of legislative affairs.

In that role he represented the service and its senior leaders on Capitol Hill.

Hisfamiliarity with Congress likely signals that Mattis is intending to make a major push to grow the Defense Department’s budget, which has been severely constricted by federal spending caps enacted five years ago.

Faller assumed duty as chief of legislative affairs in June 2014. In that position, he serves as the principal liaison between members of Congress and the Department of the Navy leadership. He previously served as U.S. Central Command’s director of operations.

A 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Faller earned his Bachelor of Science degree in systems engineering. He earned his master’s in National Security Affairs (Strategic Planning) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990.

In the past, Faller led the Navy Recruiting Command and earned the Legion of Merit for his successful tour as the senior recruiter in the Navy.

Responsible for the entire spectrum of the Navy’s recruiting effort, he provided the visionary leadership for a recruiting force of more than 7,000 people around the world.

Under Faller’s direction, Navy Recruiters accessed nearly 58,809 young men and women who answered the call to serve.

Faller’s other awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three previous awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit, service and campaign awards.

After graduating from Venango Christian High School, Faller attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering in 1983 and his Master’s in National Security Affairs (strategic planning) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990.

Faller’s sea service includes duty as a reactor electrical division officer, electrical officer and reactor training assistant in USS South Carolina (CGN 37); operations officer in USS Peterson (DD 969); station officer in USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and executive officer of USS John Hancock (DD 981). While commanding officer of USS Stethem (DDG 63), Faller deployed to the Arabian Gulf and participated in operations in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. As commanding officer of USS Shiloh (CG 67), he assisted victims of the devastating tsunami off Indonesia.

Faller has served ashore in many capacities.Faller served as the executive assistant to the commander, U.S. Pacific Command and commander, U.S. Central Command, the deputy chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy and Operations), a legislative fellow on the staff of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and as head of Surface Nuclear Officer Programs and Placement at Navy Personnel Command.

Before his posting as commander, NRC, Faller served as an executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations.