CDR David Beam
Commanding Officer
USS Colorado (SSN 788)
CDR Beam was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program and graduated from Drexel University in 2004 earning a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. Following commissioning, Beam completed Naval Nuclear Power Training in Charleston, SC.
At sea, he earned his Submarine Warfare Qualification in 2005 aboard USS Connecticut (SSN 22), served as Navigator/Operations Officer aboard USS Pasadena (SSN 752) from 2011-2015, and Executive Officer of USS Vermont (SSN 792) from 2017-2019. In 2018 Beam served a secondment to the Royal Navy aboard HMS Astute (SSN 119) for her maiden deployment. He has deployed experience in the EUCOM, SOUTHCOM, and INDO-PACOM areas of responsibility.
Ashore, Beam served as special operations assistant (N341) on Commander Submarine Group Seven staff in Yokosuka, Japan, he served as Operational Support Liaison for the Research and Development Support Activity, and as Fleet Training Department Director at Naval Submarine School, Groton, CT. He earned a master’s degree in National Strategic Studies with a specialization as a Naval Advanced Strategist at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.
LCDR Eric T. Stromme
Executive Officer
USS Colorado (SSN 788)
Born in Nashville, TN and raised in Frisco, TX, Lieutenant Commander Stromme graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also earned a Master of Business
Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Afloat, LCDR Stromme completed his Division Officer tour onboard USS Missouri (SSN 780). While serving in various division officer assignments, he completed two Sixth Fleet deployments. He then served as the Assistant Engineer Officer onboard PCU Washington (SSN 787) at Newport News Shipbuilding. LCDR Stromme completed his Department Head Tour as Engineer Officer onboard USS Indiana (SSN 789) during the ship’s first deployment training cycle and two deployments to Sixth Fleet. He assumed his current duties as Executive Officer in December 2023.
Ashore, LCDR Stromme was selected as a Secretary of the Navy Tours with Industry Fellow at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and served on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic. He most recently served as Squadron Engineer Officer at Submarine Squadron 12, where he completed an additional deployment to Sixth Fleet onboard USS California (SSN 781).
LCDR Stromme is married to the former Kelly Ryan of Mystic, CT. They have three children, James (6), Edith (2), and Eliza (4 months), and reside in Groton, CT.
STSCM(SS/IW) Christopher J Goss
Chief of the Boat
USS Colorado (SSN 788)
A native of Sumner, IA, Master Chief Goss graduated from Sumner High School in 2003. He enlisted in the Navy in December 2003.
He completed recruit training in Great lakes, IL and reported to Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) and attended Sonar Technician (Submarines) “A” School in Groton, Connecticut. Upon completion he reported for duty to USS KENTUCKY SSBN 737 (Gold) stationed at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Silverdale, WA where he completed 8 strategic deterrent patrols, qualified submarines and advanced to Second Class Petty Officer.
Following his first sea tour, he transferred to Farragut Technical Analysis Center at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D.C and was advanced to First Class Petty Officer. After completing his first shore duty and spending a brief time in the ACINT program he reported to the USS MISSOURI SSN 780, homeported in Groton, CT. Here he completed two deployments, one surge deployment and was advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
His next duty assignment was as the Sonar Division Leading Chief Petty Officer aboard the USS VIRGINIA SSN 774 stationed in Groton, CT. He completed one deployment, a change of homeport to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME and was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. Following this tour, he transferred to the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron TWELVE in Groton, CT and advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer.
Master Chief Goss is qualified to wear the Enlisted Submarine Warfare insignia and the Enlisted Information Warfare device. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (eight awards) and various campaign and unit awards. Master Chief Goss is married to Lindsey Frame of Fairbank, IA. They reside in Groton with their three children, Owen (14), Cullen (13) and Declan (7) and their dog Piper.