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CDR Nick Wissel

Past Commanding Officer, USS Higgins (DDG 76)

07 August 2020
CDR Nick Wissel
CDR Nick Wissel
CDR Nick Wissel
CDR Nick Wissel
CDR Nick Wissel
Photo By: CNSP
VIRIN: 210128-N-N0831-0025
A son of a sailor, CDR Nick Wissel received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy through Officer Candidate School, in October 2001.

 
In his initial sea tours as Division Officer, CDR Wissel was assigned to USS CURTS (FFG 38) as Electrical and Auxiliaries Officer. While on onboard, CDR Wissel deployed to 7th Fleet within US Pacific Command building interoperability through multi-national exercises. Following USS CURTS, CDR Wissel reported to USS DECATUR (DDG 73) deploying to US Central Command, 5th Fleet and US Pacific Command, 7th Fleet in support of several United Nations Security Council resolutions.

 
During his sea tours as a Department Head, CDR Wissel was assigned to both ships and staffs. Initially, he reported to USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG 48) as Chief Engineer. During this tour, CDR Wissel deployed to US Pacific Command 7th Fleet. USS VANDEGRIFT partnered with multiple navies across the South Pacific conducting maritime coalition operations followed by Pacific Partnership engagements in support of Medical Assistance visits.

 
Following USS VANDEGRIFT, He initially reported to Destroyer Squadron 23 as Material (N4) Officer. In response to an unexpected personnel loss, he assumed responsibilities as Operations Officer (N3) in addition to Material. As Operations Officer for Destroyer Squadron 23 he helped orchestrate the world’s largest maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific 2012, working closely with the Chilean Navy as the Surface Combatant Commander, embarked on USS NIMITZ (CVN 68).

 
On his second shore tour, he was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (OSD CAPE) as an Operations Analyst in the Projection Forces Division. Following CAPE, he served as a Cyber Battle Captain for the Joint Operations Center at USCYBERCOM. CDR Wissel possesses a Bachelors degree in Biology from Western Maryland College, a Masters degree in Operations Research from Naval Postgraduate School, and is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College.

 
He reported as commanding officer for USS Higgins May 2020.

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