CDR Kailey M. Snyder

Commanding Officer, USS Russell (DDG 59)

31 January 2025 Commander Snyder is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2008 with a bachelor of engineering in Chemical Engineering and commissioned through the NROTC program. She holds master’s degrees in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas and Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College where she graduated with distinction and was a member of the Halsey Bravo Advanced Research Program.

At sea, CDR Snyder served aboard USS DECATUR (DDG 73) as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and Navigator and as Training Officer for COMDESRON SEVEN, completing three deployments with the RONALD REAGAN Carrier Strike Group before homeport shifting to Singapore. She was the Operations Officer in USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and Operations Officer in USS ZUMWALT (DDG 1000) in San Diego, CA. CDR Snyder reported as Executive Officer, USS RUSSELL (DDG 59), in October 2023.

Ashore, CDR Snyder served as a Junior Officer detailer in the Navy Personnel Command Surface Warfare Distribution Division (PERS-41) and deputy executive assistant to the Director, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96).

CDR Snyder’s personal awards include the Navy League Academic Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various other unit and personal awards