Chris Lehman, PhD: Insights from the Reagan Administration & a Military Legacy
04/23/25 • 45 min
Step aboard for Episode 8 of WETSU, where Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Dr. Chris Lehman for an extraordinary conversation.
A key figure in the reactivation of the Iowa-class battleships, Chris brings firsthand insight from his time on the Senate Armed Services Committee staff and as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in the Reagan White House. He was in the Situation Room with President Reagan when the USS NEW JERSEY unleashed its powerful 16-inch guns on targets in Lebanon—witnessing history as it happened.
Chris also shares the remarkable military legacy of the storied Philadelphia Lehman family, from his father’s service as a World War II Navy Captain to his brother John’s tenure as Secretary of the Navy.
Don’t miss this riveting episode as we go behind the scenes of congressional maneuvering, naval recommissioning, and real-world combat operations that cemented the Battleship New Jersey’s legacy in the 1980s.
WETSU: A Battleship NJ Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Engineers Labor Employer Cooperative / ELEC 825.
Step aboard for Episode 8 of WETSU, where Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Dr. Chris Lehman for an extraordinary conversation.
A key figure in the reactivation of the Iowa-class battleships, Chris brings firsthand insight from his time on the Senate Armed Services Committee staff and as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in the Reagan White House. He was in the Situation Room with President Reagan when the USS NEW JERSEY unleashed its powerful 16-inch guns on targets in Lebanon—witnessing history as it happened.
Chris also shares the remarkable military legacy of the storied Philadelphia Lehman family, from his father’s service as a World War II Navy Captain to his brother John’s tenure as Secretary of the Navy.
Don’t miss this riveting episode as we go behind the scenes of congressional maneuvering, naval recommissioning, and real-world combat operations that cemented the Battleship New Jersey’s legacy in the 1980s.
WETSU: A Battleship NJ Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Engineers Labor Employer Cooperative / ELEC 825.
Previous Episode
Captain Kent "Brewski" Smith: Firsthand Experiences with the Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Earle
Join Battleship CEO & Host Marshall Spevak for an exclusive conversation with CAPT Kent “Brewski” Smith, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Earle, a critical hub for U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Monmouth County, NJ.
In this episode, CAPT Smith shares his firsthand experiences—from deploying with his Carrier Strike Group in the aftermath of 9/11 to the historic commissioning of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN-796) at NWS Earle. Learn about the base’s strategic role in storing, handling, and supplying ordnance to the U.S. Navy and allied forces, as well as the unwavering support from the New Jersey community.
Don’t miss this deep dive into the mission, impact, and future of one of New Jersey’s most vital military installations—led by one of the state’s highest-ranking military officers!
Next Episode
Tim Parlatore: Service, Leadership, and a Return to the Fleet
On this episode of WETSU, Battleship New Jersey CEO and Host Marshall Spevak welcomes Tim Parlatore, Managing Partner of Parlatore Law Group LLP — a distinguished attorney who specializes in representing veterans and active-duty service members. A former Surface Warfare Officer turned Navy JAG, Tim brings a rare blend of operational experience and legal expertise to the conversation.
From his days as a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy to leading sailors aboard the USS NORMANDY (CG-60), Tim shares his unique journey transitioning from the bridge of a warship to the courtroom — and how his time in uniform shaped his leadership philosophy as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and businessman.
We also dive into practical advice for high school students pursuing nominations to U.S. Naval Academy, the rapid transformation from Midshipman to Commissioned Officer, and Tim’s decision to return to active duty in 2025 — personally recommissioned by the Secretary of Defense as a Commander in the JAG Corps, twelve years after retiring.
Plus, we get personal — with stories of his Navy career, his passion for service, and even his wedding aboard the Battleship New Jersey! Don’t miss this compelling conversation about service, leadership, and the call to return. Only on WETSU.
WETSU: A Battleship NJ Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Engineers Labor Employer Cooperative / ELEC 825.
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