DAHLGREN, Va–
Dr. Christopher Lloyd's incredible journey from a small Virginia town to becoming a nationally recognized Navy Distinguished Scientist for Directed Energy, serving as a Scientific and Professional (ST) Senior Executive at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), epitomizes his resilience, thirst for challenges and dedication to excellence.
Though he always knew he would one day go to college, the desire for a different challenge led him down another path. Originally planning to join the Navy, he was instead recruited into the Marine Corps. Growing up in a military family with a father who served as a tank mechanic during the Vietnam War, the Armed Forces provided a supportive backdrop throughout his journey.
“Our parents and upbringing influence who we become. The people we meet along the way and the experiences we go through in life make us who we are. I had great parents and met great people who molded me into who I am today,” Lloyd said.
Before beginning boot camp, Lloyd trained for two years while maintaining a strong grade point average in high school. His determination to successfully complete Marine boot camp, known for its mental and physical difficulty, was clear. “I wanted to prove to everybody that I was up to the challenge. I saw Marine Corps boot camp as one of the most challenging training regimens to complete,” he recalls.
Lloyd initially was interested in pursuing a career in data electronics; however, the Marines had a different plan for Lloyd who became a nuclear, biological and chemical defense (NBCD) specialist. Adding aerial observer for CH-46 helicopters to his role, he spent five years training over 2,000 personnel in nuclear, biological and chemical attack scenarios and assisting in noncombatant operations. During an evacuation process in Albania, Lloyd demonstrated leadership and resilience when the helicopter suffered a critical hydraulics failure. The decisive and collective actions of the team led to a successful landing, saving multiple lives.
"The Marines will always be near and dear to my heart. I have no regrets in my life, but if I did, it would probably be not staying in the Marine Corps,” said Lloyd. “The brotherhood and camaraderie you have in the Marines is like nowhere else. But I also promised my mom that I was going to school, so I did.”
He attended George Mason University where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s in chemistry and his doctorate in physical sciences. Lloyd maintained a connection with the Marines during his internship at Battelle Memorial Institute where he worked to establish requirements for new NBCD equipment and procedures for training. His hard work and dedication led to a job as a research scientist at the Naval Research Lab where he made crucial advancements in military vehicle biocide coatings and helicopter dust abatement. Lloyd also holds three patents and led high-energy laser testing for Navy programs.
As the lead research scientist at NSWCDD, he focused his expertise on laser lethality. “I wanted to be in a lab, and I knew that Dahlgren was testing materials with lasers,” said Lloyd. He was promoted to principal research scientist and pioneered significant expansions in the laser lethality program. Lloyd is proud of building a strong team, increasing the budget to $10 million and strategically leading Navy-wide decisions on laser weapon systems. His work balanced cutting-edge research with practical defense needs, emphasizing target vulnerability and system response while fostering partnerships across sectors.
“I've always believed that if you do good work, people will recognize it. So, we started small,” said Lloyd. “We did a great job building our team and ensuring we have people in the right places to lead those smaller efforts that ultimately built out our portfolio to where it is today.”
With years of technical expertise and steadfast commitment under his belt, Lloyd was named as a Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Naval Laser Weapon System Lethality and Target Effects. His expertise in target vulnerability, high-energy laser weapons and system performance predictions has propelled directed energy to be a core competency within the Navy and the Department of Defense.
Following a rigorous selection process, Lloyd was selected as the Navy Distinguished Scientist for Directed Energy. As an ST Senior Executive, he will serve as the Navy’s senior subject matter expert on directed energy. Lloyd cites his focus on overcoming challenges, setting priorities and the power of teamwork as cornerstones of his success. Embodying his parents’ wisdom, Lloyd believes that nothing is given; success is earned through hard work and determination.
