Courtesy Photo | Capt. Brian Schrum turned over as commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO – Capt. Brian Schrum turned over as commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with Capt. Will Mathis during a change of command ceremony held on the ship’s flight deck, October 23.
Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commander, Naval Air Forces, was the guest speaker at the ceremony and praised the achievements of Theodore Roosevelt and its crew under Schrum’s leadership.
“This ship’s namesake famously spoke about the man in the arena, who ‘spends himself for a worthy cause.’ “Mush” has been that man for the past three years while in command of TR, leading a team of combat-ready warfighters who led by example and exceeded even their own expectations,” said Cheever. “He excels at leading Sailors, and the crowd in front of me are some of the most technically proficient and competent naval officers and Sailors the U.S. Navy has to offer.”
During the ceremony, Cheever presented Schrum the Legion of Merit for his outstanding performance since taking over as Theodore Roosevelt’s commanding officer October 2022.
During his speech, Schrum thanked his crew, known as the “Rough Riders.”
“Please know that I hope that even in some small part, that our time together has had a positive influence on you, just as your influence has had a very large, positive, lasting effect on me,” said Schrum.
Schrum took command as the ship was undergoing modernization upgrades in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash. Schrum then oversaw a homeport change to San Diego, Calif., upon the completion of the ship’s scheduled upgrades. In 2024, Schrum successfully led the crew on a deployment to the U.S. 7th and 5th fleet areas of operation in support of regional security and stability, executing more than 9,000 sorties including 21,000 flight hours, 28 replenishments-at-sea, and more than 71,000 nautical miles traveled. During this time, Theodore Roosevelt took part in Exercises Freedom Edge and Valiant Shield 2024, strengthening interoperability alongside multiple partners, allies and the U.S. Joint Force.
“Make no mistake, as a CVN, our mission is sustained, robust, resilient, on-call naval power at sea,” said Schrum. “That is what we do and what we accomplished during our January through October 2024 deployment in our effort to support and defend freedom and democracy around the world.”
Schrum is a native of Fond du Lac, Wis., and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996. He previously served as the executive officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), then as the commanding officer aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, before taking command of the San Diego-based carrier Theodore Roosevelt.
Schrum heads to Commander, Naval Air Forces for his next tour.
Mathis hails from Houston, Texas, and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, class of 2000. His previous assignments include the “Salty Dogs” of VX-23, the “War Party” of VFA-87 and the “Valions” of VFA-15, where he served as the last executive officer prior to the squadron’s decommissioning. He previously served as the executive officer aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) before taking command of the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17). He has participated in multiple combat deployments in support of U.S. Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
“To the Sailors of Theodore Roosevelt: you are the heart of this ship. TR may be steel and steam, but she only comes alive through you: your hands, your skill, your discipline, your determination,” said Mathis, while addressing the crew for the first time. “There is no finer crew. No better place to serve. And no greater responsibility than leading you.”
Theodore Roosevelt, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9, is currently pierside at Naval Air Station North Island in its homeport of San Diego.
For more news from Theodore Roosevelt, please visit https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-Theodore-Roosevelt-CVN-71/ and https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSTR-CVN71. Join the conversation online at www.facebook.com/USSTheodoreRoosevelt and at www.x.com/The RealCVN71.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2025 15:00 |
| Story ID: | 551191 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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