LCDR Vanessa Prado

Executive Officer, USS Pioneer (MCM 9)

07 November 2025 Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Prado, a Surface Warfare Officer, is a native of Port Hueneme, California. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Norwich University where she received her commission through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program in 2015.

At sea, she completed division officer tours as Assistant Electronic Material Officer on USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) and as Navigation and Training Officer on USS MONTGOMERY (LCS 8). She completed her department head tour as Combat Systems Officer aboard USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8). She recently volunteered to support a Joint Western Pacific Patrol aboard USCGC BERTHOLF (WMSL 750) as Tactical Action Officer, where she earned the Coast Guard Cutterman Device. She has deployed to 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet AORs.

For her shore assignment, LCDR Prado attended Naval Postgraduate School where she studied Homeland Security and Defense and completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I in 2022.

LCDR Prado’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, and multiple unit and service awards including the Coast Guard Commandant Letter of Commendation.