CAPT Janice A. Pollard

Commanding Officer, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5

16 May 2025 A native of Houston, Texas, Captain Janice A. Pollard graduated from San Diego State University in 2001 and was commissioned through NROTC. She also holds a Master of Arts degree from the Naval War College, and a Master of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University.

As a Division Officer at sea, Captain Pollard has served as Communications Officer in USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45) and Assistant Operations Officer at MINE COUNTERMEASURES SQUADRON THREE. Her Department Head tours were as the Combat Systems Officer in both USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) and Commander, Destroyer Squadron 26. She screened for Early Command and was selected to serve as Executive Officer of MCM Crew OLYMPIAN, a crew of 84 Individual Augmentee Sailors from more than 50 separate commands across the Fleet. Upon completion of this one-year IA tour, she executed the transition to FDNF Bahrain Permanent Crew as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer onboard USS SENTRY (MCM 3). She served as Executive Officer in USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45) and commanded USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49) where she completed a seven-month deployment to FIFTH AND SEVENTH FLEETs with BOXER Amphibious Ready Group and 11TH Marine Expeditionary Unit. Most recently she served as the Training and Assessments ACoS at Carrier Strike Group FIFTEEN, where she led the highest levels of operational training for Pacific Fleet Naval Forces Carrier Strike Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups, Amphibious Ready Groups and independent deploying forces in support of U.S. THIRD, FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets.

Ashore, Captain Pollard served as Post-Department Head Detailer and Commander Command Assignments (PERS-411), as well as a Seamanship and Navigation Instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy. Most recently, she served as the Operations Officer at Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, Sea Combat Division, and Director of Training at Surface Advanced Warfighting School.

Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (7 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various unit and service awards.