Capt. Mary Katey Hays
Commanding Officer, USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128)
30 January 2024
Captain Hays is a native of Tampa, Florida. She received her commission in 1999 from the United States Naval Academy where she earned a Bachelor of Science in History. She earned a certificate and Associate Degree in Modern Standard Arabic from the Defense Language Institute in 2004 and a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs (Middle Eastern Studies) from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2005, graduating with distinction.
Her sea assignments include Damage Control Assistant and Navigator in USS MILIUS (DDG 69), Engineer Officer in USS CARNEY (DDG 64) and USS ANTIETAM (CG 54), Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of USS DECATUR (DDG 73), and Deputy Commodore, COMDESRON TWO SIX.
Ashore, she completed an Individual Augmentation assignment as the Civil Affairs Team Officer-in-Charge at SEAL Team ONE in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; Scheduler at Commander, THIRD Fleet; Congressional Liaison in the Surface Warfare Directorate of the Chief of Naval Operations Staff; Maritime Syndicate Lead and Future Operations Officer at Carrier Strike Group FOUR; and Commanding Officer of Afloat Training Group Norfolk. While in command of Afloat Training Group Norfolk, the command earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation for innovative training during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Captain Hays assumed duties as Prospective Commanding Officer of Pre-Commissioning Unit TED STEVENS March 27, 2023. She was the first crewmember to report to TED STEVENS.
Her decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and unit awards.