Preview
Description
Dr. William J. Lahneman is Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Security Studies and International Affairs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He joined ERAU’s faculty in August 2013.
Dr. Lahneman is a 1974 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and served on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 21 years following graduation, attaining the rank of Commander (O-5) before retiring in 1995. He was a Surface Warfare Officer qualified in Nuclear Propulsion –a “Surface Nuke” for short. In 1989, he earned an M.S. in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, which gave him sub-specializations in Strategic Planning and International Organizations and Negotiations.
CDR Lahneman served in four ships and one afloat staff during his career:
- USS TRUXTUN (CGN-35), a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser homeported in San Diego, CA;
- USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13) a guided missile frigate homeported in Mayport, FL;
- USS TEXAS (CGN-39), a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser homeported in Alameda, CA; and
- USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71), a Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier homeported in Norfolk, VA. CDR Lahneman is a ROOSEVELT “plank owner,” which means that he served in the “commissioning crew,” the first crew to report to the ship as it approached completion.
- CDR Lahneman also served on the staff of the Commander, U.S. Surface Force, U.S Pacific Fleet as the Deputy of the Nuclear Power Mobile Training Team.
CDR Lahneman’s last tour of duty was as Associate Chair of the Political Science Department at the United States Naval Academy.
During his navy career, CDR Lahneman participated in Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada); Operation Ernest Will (Middle East); Operation Desert Shield; and Operation Desert Storm. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Sea Service Ribbon. He is a Golden Shellback, has been duly initiated into the Domain of the Golden Dragon, and is a member of the Order of the Ditch.
