He again served as an instructor at the Naval Academy—until May 15, 1925—before he joined on June 26. Commissioned commander on June 2, 1927, while in "Maryland", he soon reported for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations on May 21, 1928, and served there during the administrations of Admirals Charles F. Hughes and William V. Pratt. Detached on June 28, 1931, Van Valkenburgh received command of the destroyer on July 10, and commanded Destroyer Squadron 5 from March 31, 1932.