Chris joined the Navy in August 2003 and volunteered for submarine duty. For the next 15 years he completed three submarine tours onboard USS Texas, USS Charlotte and USS Jefferson City. He also served on the staff of Submarine Squadron One as the Reactor Control Assistant, and a tour at Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa as an instructor. In 2018, only ten days before starting law school, he separated from active duty and transitioned into the Navy Reserves where he currently drills with LCS Squadron One in San Diego.