Commander Edward L. Anderson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990 with a BS in Systems Engineering. After graduation, he attended Nuclear Power School or Orlando, FL, continuing at the Nuclear Power Training Unit at the SIC prototype at Windsor Locks, CT.

His first sea duty after completion of the Submarine Office Basic Course was in USS NEWPORT NEWS (SSN 750) in Norfolk, VA, from February 1992 - June 1995. There he served as Electrical Assistant, Chemistry/Radiological controls Assistant, Main Propulsion Assistant, and Damage Control Assistant. The ship completed three major deployments and was awarded the Battle "E" twice.

His first shore duty was at U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs, CO, from July 1995 to June 1997 serving as a Space Control Officer. His duties included primary cognizance over space and terrestrial asset defense. Upon completion of this duty, he attended the Submarine Officer Advanced Course in Groton, CT.

Upon completion of Strategic Weapons Officer certification in USS GEORGIA (SSBN 729)(GOLD), he served as Weapons Officer in USS OHIO (SSBN 726)(BLUE) from may 1998 to November 2000. During his tour, OHIO completed four patrols and participated in two major fleet exercises. Prior to detaching, he completed temporary duty in USS L. MENDEL RIVERS as Command Duty Officer (CDO) for her inter-fleet transfer under the polar ice cap.

Follow-on duty was at COMNAVSOUTH, a NATO command in Naples, Italy, where he served as the Submarine Staff Officer. his duties included coordination of numerous submarine exercises and submarine integration into NATO force deployments and tasking for NATO forces in the Mediterranean Sea post-9/11. During this tour, he completed the Air Command and Staff course for JPME Phase I.

Upon completion of the Prospective Executive Officer Course in December 2002, he served as Executive Officer in USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759) from January 2003 to September 2004. The ship completed a change of homeport to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to undertake a Depot Modernization Period. Early in this tour, he completed his MBA at Indiana University, graduating with Honors. He additionally served as CDO during the 2003 deployment of USS SANTA FE.

Following his Executive Officer tour, he served on the staff of Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific as the Anti-Submarine Warfare and Submarine Operations Officer from October 2004 through April 2007. During this time, the staff trained and certified for deployment seven carrier strike groups and four expeditionary strike groups. Prior to commencing the Prospective Commanding Officer training, Commander Anderson spent five months in the UK attending the Royal Navy Submarine Command Course, "Perisher," graduating in October 2007.