| Shanti Sethi | |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Rank: | Captain |
Shanti Sethi is an American naval officer and the only Indian-American woman and the 15th female officer to command a major US Navy combat warship.[1] She commanded the guided missile destroyer from 15 December 2010 to May 2012.[2] From 2021 to 2022, she served as the Navy's Senior Military Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy.[3] From February 2022 until the Fall of 2022, she was detailed o the Office of the Vice President as Executive Secretary and Defense Advisor.[4] She is now detailed to the National Security Council as Director for Talent Management and Recruiting.
Captain Shanti Sethi is a native of Reno, Nevada.[2] [1] She graduated from Norwich University in 1993 with a degree in International Affairs.[2] She also holds a Masters of International Policy and Practice from The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.[2]
After postings in various ships and naval shore installations, Sethi assumed command of USS Decatur on 15 December 2010.[5]
She is the first female commander of an American naval ship to visit India.[6]
In 2015, she was promoted to the rank of Captain.[7]
Sethi's decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and unit and campaign awards.[2]
In February 2022 Sethi was appointed as the defence advisor to the Vice President of the US, Kamala Harris.[8] She is currently serving as the National Security Council's Director for Talent Management and Recruiting.