Commander Anderson Takes Command of USS Constitution

The U.S. Navy held a change-of-command ceremony in Boston Harbor on October 22 to install the ship's 79th leader.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Military

Commander Anderson Takes Command of USS Constitution

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Commander Jon-Andrew D. Anderson has officially succeeded Commander Crystal L. Schaefer as the 79th commanding officer of the USS Constitution. The ceremony held in Boston marks the latest leadership transition for the historic active-duty warship.

Why it matters

The transition continues a tradition of command that dates back to the ship's original 1797 commissioning. Maintaining this leadership cycle ensures the ongoing operation of one of the six original frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794.

Commander Anderson becomes the 79th individual to hold the position since the USS Constitution was commissioned in 1797. The role typically rotates every two years to oversee the vessel, which is one of six frigates authorized by the 1794 Naval Act.

The players

Jon-Andrew D. Anderson

He is the newly appointed 79th commanding officer of the USS Constitution.

Crystal L. Schaefer

She is the outgoing commanding officer who was succeeded by Commander Anderson.

Billie June Farrell

She made history in 2022 as the first woman to serve as commanding officer of the USS Constitution.

Samuel Nicholson

He served as the first commanding officer of the USS Constitution upon its commissioning in 1797.

Tyrone Gabriel Martin

He holds the record for the longest tenure as commanding officer of the ship, serving from 1974 to 1978.

The details

The commanding officer is responsible for all operations of the ship and its crew while it remains docked as a museum in Boston Harbor. Management of the vessel is supported by a partnership between the Naval History and Heritage Command's Detachment Boston, the USS Constitution Museum, and the National Park Service.

1794: The Naval Act of 1794 authorized the original six U.S. Navy frigates.
1797: Captain Samuel Nicholson served as the first commanding officer.
January 21, 2022: Commander Billie June Farrell became the first female commander.
October 22, 2026: Commander Anderson assumed command during a ceremony.

Political Context

The USS Constitution operates under the enduring mandate of the Naval Act of 1794, which originally established the U.S. Navy's first frigates to protect merchant shipping. This transition preserves a legacy that continues to define the naval heritage of the United States.

Residents in the area can expect the standard continued operations of the ship as a museum in Boston Harbor under new leadership. The change ensures the vessel remains maintained for public visitors as part of its ongoing mission.

The takeaway

The installation of a new commander highlights the historic ship's role as both a functional naval asset and a preserved piece of national history. Visitors to the museum ship can expect standard operations to continue under the new command.