New CO For John L. Hall

Bennett is a native of Aiken, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1988 and was commissioned through NROTC. He holds a bachelor's degree in Geography and a master's degree in Business Administration/Information Systems Management.

His Division officer tour was completed aboard USS Schenectady (LST 1185) where he served as Combat Information Center officer and Auxiliaries and Electrical officer from May 1989 to May 1992. Next, he completed the Information Technology Management curriculum at the Naval Postgraduate School from May 1992 to September 1994.

Following NPS, he completed his first department head tour as Operations officer of USS Merrimack (AO 179) from June 1995 to June 1997. His second tour was as the Combat Systems officer and Operations officer for Commander Destroyer Squadron Six from June 1997 to June 1999.

He completed JPME phase I at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from June 1999 to June 2000. He then became the Surface Operation Enlisted Community Manager at OPNAV from July 2000 to October 2001. Bennett served as executive officer of USS Doyle (FFG 39) from January 2002 to July 2003. Lastly, he served as a Program Assessment Analyst at OPNAV from August 2003 to July 2006.

Geisler is a native of Kokomo, Indiana. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1988. In June of 2004 he graduated from the National War College with a master's degree in National Security Strategy.

Geisler's first duty station was aboard USS Pharris (FF 1094) in Norfolk, Va. He served as B-Division Officer, Main propulsion Assistant and Gunnery officer during his tour from February 1989 to March 1992. His next tour was as Damage Control officer and Main Propulsion assistant in USS Yorktown (CG48) in Norfolk from July 1992 to January 1994. After completing department head school, he served as the Commissioning Engineer officer for USS Carney (DDG-64) in Mayport until December 1998. In February 1999, he reported to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group 12 and assumed duties as Material officer and Battle Group Logistics officer.

While attached to the Enterprise Battle Group staff, he qualified Staff Tactical Action officer and oversaw operations in the Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea.

Geisler completed executive officer school in April 2000 and reported to USS Taylor (FFG-50) as executive officer in May 2000. His next assignment was to Chief of Naval Operations Task Force for Excellence through Continued Education and Training, Washington D.C. In September 2002 he reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare Directorate, as Requirements Officer for Surface Warfare Systems.

He assumed command of USS John L. Hall in June, 2005.