J. Russell Linderman

A native of Pennsylvania, Capt. J. Russell “Crazy Juice” Linderman started out in biomedical research after receiving a B.S. in Premedicine from Penn State University and a Ph.D. in Physiology from the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Medicine. After WVU he completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin, studying brain tumor angiogenesis, growth factor control of blood vessel development, and vasoactive hormone receptor localization in the microvasculature.

In November 1999, Russell was commissioned in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and began his training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida to become a Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiologist; he was designated in September 2000. Throughout his 25 years of service, his appointments have included:

• Aeromedical Safety Officer (AMSO), Commander Strike Fighter Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Lemoore, California;
• Director, Human Performance Lab, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland;
• Site Director and Researcher, Joint Combat Casualty Research Team Kandahar Airfield, Kandahar, Afghanistan;
• Director, Aviation Survival Training Center Miramar, Marine Corps Air Station, San Diego, California;
• Wing AMSO, and Deputy DOSS 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan;
• Navy Element Commander, Medical Planner and Preservation of the Force and Family Lead at U.S. Special Operations Command Korea, Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, South Korea;
• Aerospace Physiology Lead, U.S. Navy Physiological Episodes Action Team, Arlington, Virginia.

In October of 2021, he transferred to the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine to serve as the Deputy Director of the Consortium of Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), a designated DoD Center of Excellence specializing in Total Force Fitness and Human Performance Optimization. There, he works to enhance Warfighter readiness through evidence-based human performance optimization knowledge, guidance, and operational support.

Russell’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (five awards), and other personal and unit awards. He is happily married and has two awesome children.