Cmdr. Larrion D. Cassidy
Chief Staff Officer, Naval Surface Squadron FIVE
29 September 2020
Cmdr. Cassidy is a native of Georgia but was raised in South Carolina. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1991 as an Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) and was selected for the Seaman-to-Admiral program in 1998. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Jacksonville University in 2001.
Following commissioning at Officer Candidate School in 2001 and initial training at Surface Warfare Officer School, Cmdr. Cassidy reported to USS Cape St. George (CG 71) in Norfolk. There he served as main propulsion division officer and "fleeted up" as main propulsion assistant, deploying in support of combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom in both the European and Central Command theaters.
Following a tour as the tactical fleet watch officer for COMUSNAVCENT in Bahrain, Cmdr. Cassidy served as a NROTC naval science instructor at Miami University (Ohio) and earned a Master of Business Administration degree. Naval War College graduate, Maritime Advance Warfare School and earned his Masters of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies.
Cmdr. Cassidy's assignments at sea include chief engineer in USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), deploying from Mayport, Fla. to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior and conducting Theater Security Cooperation. In 2010 he reported to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 21 as the material officer (N4) and combat system officer (N6). Later, he served on the CJTF-HOA, Djibouti, Africa, staff in the J-35 division as an operational planner. His follow-on assignment was to C5F, CTF-53 UAE Port Liaison Element OIC, Jebel Ali. Next, Cassidy served as chief staff officer in Coastal Riverine Squadron ONE (CRS-1). He now serves as chief staff officer in Commander, Surface Naval Squadron FIVE
Cmdr. Cassidy's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and service awards.