Lieutenant Chris Vallier is a native of Columbus, Ohio, but considers Hampton, New Hampshire, his hometown. He graduated from Winnacunet High School in 1995 where he lettered in golf, basketball and track. He attended the University of New Hampshire and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2000. After graduating from college he spent a year as a stock trader for Fidelity Investments in Merrimack, New Hampshire, before entering the service through Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, in April 2002.

He was commissioned as an ensign in the Supply Corps in August 2002 and graduated from Navy Supply Corps School's Basic Qualification Course in Athens, Georgia, in March 2003.

Chris' initial operational assignment was on the forward deployed USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in Yokosuka, Japan, where he was assigned as the carrier's hazardous material officer, and he successfully completed the Department of the Navy's Environmental Protection Coordinator Course. While serving in that assignment, he earned his qualification as a Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer.

While aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, Chris also served as the customer service officer, providing carrier logistics and purchasing support to 74 divisions and eight squadrons. He later was assigned to the aviation supply division where he assisted in the management of repairable parts for the embarked Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5). While serving in that assignment, he earned his Naval Aviation Supply Officer qualification.

In 2005, Chris reported to the Department of Defense's Aviation Supply Chain Manager at the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR), in Richmond, Virginia. Chris served as an assistant team chief to naval aviation forces, which provide customer support to 11 aircraft carriers and 12 naval air stations. He also served as the assistant team chief to Naval Aviation Depot San Diego, California, providing customer support to various platforms, including the F/A-18 Hornet, H-53, H-60 Tail Pavlon, E-2 Hawkeye, and C-2 Greyhound in an aircraft production environment. While stationed to DSCR, Chris successfully completed Joint Aviation Supply and Maintenance Material Management Course at the Naval Supply Corps School.