Christopher Carlson is a Minnesota native. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After graduation, he completed the nuclear power and basic submarine officer training curriculum and reported aboard USS Lafayette (SSBN 616 Blue). He then spent three years at the Defense Intelligence Agency as an undersea warfare analyst before resigning his active commission in 1990. He affiliated with the Naval Reserve Intelligence Program where he served in a number of units and staff positions, including two assignments as a unit commanding officer and as a regional intelligence area chief staff officer. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves in 2008 with the rank of Captain.
Chris was formerly employed by the Defense Intelligence Agency as a senior naval systems and warfare analyst providing technical intelligence products and presentations to national decision makers and the acquisition community. He retired from the Department of Defense in 2010 after serving as the Senior Intelligence Officer and acting Division Chief of the Acquisition Support Division, Defense Warning Office.
Being an avid wargamer from an early age, Chris is one of the co-designers of the Admiralty Trilogy tactical naval wargame series: Harpoon4, Command at Sea, and Fear God & Dread Nought. All three have won numerous industry awards, and have expanded to include numerous supplements and stand alone games. Often dubbed as Larry's "science officer," Chris has also authored many articles in the Naval SITREP on modeling and technical naval issues.
Chris has teamed up with Larry Bond and co-authored a short story, Burial at Sea, in the Tombs anthology, as well as four full-length novels, Dangerous Ground, Cold Choices, Exit Plan, Shattered Trident, and Lash-up.