Chaiyant Chanchang

Chaiyant Chanchang, known by the call sign “CC,” was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and immigrated to the United States in 1996. Shortly thereafter, they enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Air Warfare Specialist (ground crew) for F-14 fighter jets, serving from 1997 to 2001. During their active duty, he deployed with VF-14 Fighter Squadron aboard the USS Roosevelt and supported Operation Allied Force during the 1999 Kosovo War.

Following his enlistment, CC became a Case Officer with the U.S. Department of Defense, where they supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait and Iraq from 2001 to 2006. On August 17, 2006, he joined the FBI and were assigned to the Los Angeles Field Office, focusing primarily on Counterintelligence cases.

After a break from military service, CC returned as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve Command. His first reserve tour was at Pacific Command in Hawaii, followed by a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2012, under Central Command where he supported Operation Enduring Freedom as part of a NATO training team. Embedded with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Ranger unit, CC was tasked with training senior Afghan National Army, National Police, and National Directorate of Security personnel. Notably, he survived a VBIED attack by the Taliban in 2011 and, after treatment, chose to remain in the combat theater.

CC resumed their position at the FBI Los Angeles Field Office in 2012, handling Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, and Cyberterrorism cases. He was also a certified FBI pilot, supporting multiple air operations, and a certified Interview and Interrogation Instructor. In this capacity, CC has instructed law enforcement in Ghana and Saipan at the request of various FBI divisions and assisted the FBI Bangkok and NCIS Middle East division on training and investigations, leveraging his Thai language and investigative skills.

Recalled once again for active duty, CC deployed to the Persian Gulf from 2017 to 2018 as Maritime Security co-Director for U.S. Central Command, collaborating with FVEY partners (UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada). In this role, he led significant operations, including a coalition interdiction of a vessel carrying over $400 million worth of concealed drugs intended for terrorist funding. 

His final assignment with the Naval Reserve was with the Top Gun squadron at Naval Air Station Fallon, where he served as an Aviation Intelligence Instructor for Top Gun aviators and Naval Flight Officers. CC concluded their military career as a Lieutenant Commander (SEL) with an honorable discharge.

In 2016, CC became an FBI Supervisor at the Phoenix Division, also serving as Intelligence Advisor for the FBI Executive Assistant Director, and retired in 2021. Currently, they work as a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of State and as an Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University, teaching criminal justice and terrorism studies. CC also serves on the College Advisory Board for Los Angeles Mission College.

Dr. CC is widely recognized for their dedication to public service and professional contributions to leadership development. Dr. CC is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, helping students achieve career success in local, state, Military (Officers Program) and federal agencies.

Dr. CC holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Assumption University, a Master’s degree in Security Management from Webster University, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University.