Capt. Douglas J. Pegher, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He earned his commission in December 1997 after successfully completing Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida.
 
His at sea and operational tours as division officer and department head include first division officer and OI division officer aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), navigator aboard USS Monterey (CG 61), engineer officer aboard USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), and material and logistics officer for Destroyer Squadron 22.  He served as executive officer of USS Stethem (DDG 63) from May 2014 to November 2015, and as commanding officer from May 2016 to September 2017.  He was assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 as the surface operations officer following his command tour.
 
His shore assignments include Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned a master’s degree in Space Systems Operations; Naval Personnel Command, where he served as the PERS-41 data analyst; U.S. Northern Command, where he served in the ballistic missile defense division as the future operations branch chief; and Tactical Training Group Atlantic, where he served as the surface warfare module head. 
 
He became the eighth commanding officer of the Center for Security Forces on July 9, 2021.
 
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service and unit awards.

Last Updated: 5 January 2023