Cmdr. Vincent Simmon, Jr.
Commanding Officer, USS Ross (DDG 71)
20 August 2024
Commander Vincent Simmon is a native of Southern California and earned his commission through Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in 2006 at Carnegie Mellon University. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Policy & Management and Political Science from Carnegie Mellon and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Environmental Policy from Marylhurst University.
A Surface Warfare Officer, he has served at sea as Main Propulsion Division and Electrical Officer in USS JUNEAU (LPD 10), Operations Officer and Executive Officer in PATROL COASTAL CREW DELTA, Operations Officer in USS KIDD (DDG 100), and Operations Officer in Destroyer Squadron NINE. In his most recent tour, he served as Executive Officer in USS Ross (DDG 71).
During his sea tours, he made multiple deployments in the Fifth and Seventh Fleet Areas of Operations, including three deployments to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Global War on Terror. Deployed with the NIMITZ Strike Group, he served as Destroyer Squadron Operations Officer and Staff Director.
Ashore, he served as Security and Counterintelligence Officer for Striking and Support Forces NATO, stationed in both Naples, Italy, and Lisbon, Portugal. During his time at NATO, he was assigned to the Ground Effects Cell in Joint Forces Command Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR, providing intelligence and targeting support to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas from attack or the threat of attack. He has also served as the Readiness Portfolio Manager for the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs and a Political Military Planner for the Joint Staff Strategy, Plans, & Policy (J5) Deputy Directorate for Middle East, Levant, Egypt, and Arabian Peninsula Division.
Commander Simmon’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various unit and campaign awards.