Commander Houssain (Sam) T. Sareini

CDR Sareini, originally from Michigan, enlisted in the United States Navy in May of 1994 as an Operations Specialist. Serving in USS VICKSBURG (CG 69), he deployed to 5th Fleet as part of Operation Provide Promise/Sharp Guard. During this tour, CDR Sareini was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program, earning his BS and MS in Biochemistry from Iowa State University in 2002.

As a first tour Surface Warfare Officer, he served in USS HUE CITY (CG 66) as the Air Defense Officer and Combat Information Center Officer. While assigned to HUE CITY he was instrumental in her deployment work-up cycle, CEC HAWKEYE 2000 testing, and Expeditionary Strike Group integration as Air Defense Commander. Following nuclear propulsion pipeline training in 2005 he reported to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) while on station in the Arabian Gulf, serving as the Reactor Laboratories Division Officer. During this assignment, he was selected to serve as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Principal Assistant and Radiation Health Officer. For his outstanding performance, CDR Sareini was selected as COMNAVAIRFOR Engineering Officer of the Watch for 2007.

Upon completion of his division officer tours, he reported to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, SC. There he served as the Division Director for Chemistry, Materials, and Radiological Fundamentals Office for Officer training and the Senior Watch Officer.

Following graduation from the Department Head training pipeline, where we was honored as the Top Graduate, CDR Sareini reported as Operations Officer in USS KAUFFMAN (FFG 59). CDR Sareini then reported as the Reactor Training Assistant in USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). There he served as the Senior Watch Officer and led TRUMAN through two Operational Reactors Safeguards Exams (ORSE) and a nine-month combat deployment to the Arabian Gulf.

Ashore, CDR Sareini then served as the Deputy Module Head for Surface Warfare in Tactical Training Group Atlantic and was selected as the command’s 2015 Instructor of the Year. Additionally, he was hand selected to participate in the future Naval Design working group, CNO’s BLUE LOE, at United States Fleet Forces Command. Following that tour, CDR Sareini served as the Officer-in-Charge in Atlantic Sealift Operations Support Element (ASOSE) in Norfolk, VA. Personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (6), Navy Achievement Medal (3), Good Conduct Medal (2) and various Unit Commendations.