Cmdr. Sean W. Hanley
Commanding Officer, USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75)
21 July 2025
Commander Sean Hanley is a native of Belmar, New Jersey. He attended the University of San Diego where he was commissioned via the NROTC program in 2008 and graduated with a degree in Chemistry and minor in Physics. In the fall of 2014, he graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned a Master’s of Science in Applied Physics.
At sea, he served as Communications Officer in USS Gridley (DDG 101), Operations Planning Officer for Amphibious Squadron Eleven (CPR 11), Operations Officer in USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), Combat Systems Officer in USS William P. Lawrence, Commanding Officer of USS Thunderbolt (PC 12) and Executive Officer for USS Mason (DDG 87). He is currently the Commanding Officer for USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), having reported aboard July 2025. CDR Hanley has supported Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Prosperity Guardian, and numerous U.S. 5th Fleet, 6th Fleet and 7th Fleet deployments.
During CDR Hanley’s time at the Naval Postgraduate School he was selected for the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group 34 and reported as a Director Fellow in 2014. He was responsible for directly developing revolutionary naval warfare concepts for the Naval personnel system for the 2030s and beyond.
Ashore, he served as the Maritime Planner, United States National Military Representation to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “C” Device, Navy Achievement Medal (3), Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit and campaign awards.