CDR Parina Somnhot

Past Commanding Officer, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56)

10 October 2024 Commander Parina Somnhot is a native of Virginia. She studied Print Journalism and International Relations at Boston University, where she received her commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 2005. She earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
 
Commander Somnhot completed her Division Officer tours in USS WASP (LHD 1), where she was assigned to engineering and combat systems departments, and USS MOMSEN (DDG 92), where she served as Fire Control Officer. As a Department Head, Commander Somnhot completed tours as Operations Officer in USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108) and USS HUÉ CITY (CG 66). Following her Department Head tours, she commanded USS TYPHOON (PC 5) while forward deployed to Manama, Bahrain. She has deployed to every fleet area of operation, supporting Joint Task Force Lebanon and Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE. Ashore she served as the Operations Officer on the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Group Western Pacific in Yokosuka, Japan.
 
Commander Somnhot’s most recent assignment was to USS KIDD (DDG 100), where she served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, service, and campaign awards.