Louis M. McCray

Deputy Chair Wargaming Department
Capt., U.S. Navy
Louis M. McCray faculty photo

Biography

Lou McCray is a military faculty member and staff officer in the Wargaming Department. He is a career Naval Special Warfare Officer with multiple tours of duty in the Middle East and South Asia and assignments in Europe. Most recently, he served as the Deputy Commander of United States Special Operations Command Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, during which he had the privilege to work closely with NATO Allies and non-NATO partners across Europe. He is from Springfield, Massachusetts. He has been assigned to the Wargaming Department since November 2023.

Areas of Expertise

  • Irregular Warfare
  • Joint Operations
  • JPME
  • Military Planning
  • Security Cooperation
  • Special Operations
  • Wargaming

Professional Highlights

2024

Deputy Chair, Wargaming Department

2019

Deputy Commander, Special Operations Command Europe

Served as the J5 Director and Deputy Commander
2017

JMO Military Faculty, U.S. Naval War College

Student and Military Faculty
2015

Branch Chief, Joint Staff

Served as an Emergency Action Officer, Deputy Director for Current and Integrated Operations (J33) and Africa, Europe, and Pacific Branch Chief, Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counterterrorism (J37)
2013

Commanding Officer, Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO

Commanded NSWU-2 from 2013 to 2015, during the AOR's transition to Great Power Competition.
2012

Commanding Officer, Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah

Took Command of PRT-Farah in 2012 and deployed with a joint, interagency team to Afghanistan through the summer 0f 2013.

Education

M.A., U.S. Naval War College, 2019, National Security and Strategic Studies

M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, 2002, Defense Analysis

B.S., University of San Diego, 1996, Political Science

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