Kristin “Chief” Beck

Kristen “Chief” Beck is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who gained public attention in 2013 when she came out as a trans woman.

Chris Beck grew up near Buffalo N.Y. and eastern Pennsylvania, attended Virginia Military Institute and served 20 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL. Beck was deployed 13 times, including seven combat missions, served as part of the anti-terrorism unit known as SEAL Team Six, and received multiple military honors, including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, and retired from the Navy as Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator in 2011.

After retirement, Beck began her transition by dressing as a woman. In 2013, she came out publicly, and published her memoir, “Warrior Princess: A U.S. Navy SEAL's Journey to Coming out Transgender.”

The following year, the documentary “Lady Valor: The Kristin Beck Story,” aired on CNN.

In 2015, Beck made a bid for Maryland’s 5th District Congressional seat, but finished second in the 2016 Democratic primary behind Rep. Steny Hoyer.

Beck lives in Upper Marlboro, Md.