Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus announced on Tuesday that he is being promoted to commander in the United States Navy.

This promotion is a "merit selection," meaning he'll be elevated ahead of his peers.

Neuhaus became a commissioned officer in the Navy in December 2007.

He served on active duty earlier this year in Europe with the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Neuhaus will officially become a commander effective Oct. 1.