CAPT Michel C. Brandt

Commanding Officer, USS Somerset (LPD 25)

14 July 2023 Hailing from Oak Grove, Kentucky, Captain Michel C. Brandt graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1998 and was commissioned through the NROTC program. She was designated as a Surface Warfare Officer in April 2000.

Afloat, Captain Brandt completed her division officer tours aboard USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47) as First Lieutenant and aboard USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN 74) as Machinery Division Officer. She served her department head tours in USS ELROD (FFG 55) as Combat Systems Officer, and in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) as Forward Station Officer. She commanded Littoral Combat Ship CREW 102, embarked in USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) and USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3). She served as Reactor Officer in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71).

During her sea tours she made six deployments, to include operations in support of Counter-Narcotics in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific; twice in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the Arabian Sea; Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR in the Mediterranean Sea as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group One; and, twice in support of maritime security cooperation operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific.

Ashore, Captain Brandt has served on the staff of U.S. SECOND Fleet as Flag Aide, on the staff of the Joint IED Defeat Organization as an Action Officer in the Director’s Staff Group, and as the Special Assistant for Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carriers for the Director, Naval Reactors. She completed the Command and Staff College course at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia.

Captain Brandt’s awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), and various other service medals and unit awards