Lt.Cdr. Craig Payne, USN (Ret.) was a career surface officer who served as a tactical action officer on frigates, destroyers and an aircraft carrier. He also served as the battle watch captain of a NATO Destroyer Squadron staff. He was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of Wisconsin where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Oceanography. After his first sea tour, he earned an M.A. in Applied Science from the Naval Postgraduate School. He was a master instructor and coordinator of the Naval Weapons Systems courses at the U.S. Naval Academy.