A native of Scottsdale, Arizona, Commander Christoph graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with Distinction. CDR Christoph was commissioned as an Ensign and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in June 2007, completing Primary flight training at NAS Whiting Field, FL, and Jet Intermediate/Advanced flight training at NAS Meridian, Mississippi.  He earned his Naval Aviator wings in August 2009. In October 2009, CDR Christoph reported to the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” for initial fleet training as an F/A-18C Hornet pilot.  

CDR Christoph began his operational flying in September 2010 with the “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146.  Flying the F/A-18C, he deployed with CVW-14 onboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) during a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East in support of Operations NEW DAWN and ENDURING FREEDOM and later deployed as part of CVW-11 onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) for a nine-month deployment to once again support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.    

Following his first sea tour, CDR Christoph reported to the TOPGUN course and joined the “Outlaws” of Strike Fighter Weapons School, Pacific in June 2014 to instruct tactics in the F/A-18C Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.  At SFWSP, CDR Christoph served as the Air-to-Surface Fundamentals Subject Matter Expert and Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program Department Head, and he received the SFWSP LT William “Hipster” Marshall IV Junior Officer Leadership Award.

Following Carrier Qualification refresher training at VFA-122, CDR Christoph reported to the “Vigilantes” of VFA-151 assigned to CVW-9 onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in June 2016 as the Training Officer flying the F/A-18E.

Following his Training Officer tour, CDR Christoph reported to the “World Famous Golden Dragons” of VFA-192 in February 2018 as a Department Head flying the F/A-18E.  He served as the Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer, Safety Officer, Admin Department Head, and Training Officer.  He deployed to the Western Pacific with the “Golden Dragons” as part of CVW-2 onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70).  While assigned to VFA-192, CDR Christoph was selected as the recipient of the 2020 Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific LCDR Michael G. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year Award.

Following his Department Head tour, CDR Christoph reported to Naval Personnel Command in June 2021.  As a member of PERS-43 Aviation Officer Distribution, he served as the VFA West/F-35C Placement Officer and the VFA Junior Officer Detailer.  

CDR Christoph reported to VFA-25 “Fist of the Fleet” as the Executive Officer in December 2023.  In 2024, he deployed to the Western Pacific and Middle East for nine months with CVW-11 onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71).  He has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours, 470 carrier arrested landings, and 40 combat missions.