Rear Adm. Katie Sheldon is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy where she earned a B.S. in oceanography. She is a 2017 graduate of Grand Canyon University, where she received a Master’s in education.
As a surface warfare officer, she completed three deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf as the damage control assistant on USS FIFE (DD 991), staff watch officer on the staff of Destroyer Squadron 9, and as the assistant first lieutenant on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). Ashore, Sheldon served as the U.S. Naval Academy physical education department logistics officer from 2003-2005.
As a reserve officer, she served as the assistant operations officer for the staff of Commander, Maritime Sealift Logistics Command Europe; executive officer of Navy Reserve (NR) USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37); NR U.S. Forces Korea Detachment 102; and NR USPACOM Detachment 701. She has served as commanding officer for the following units: NR Mine Countermeasures Ship Support Unit; Littoral Combat Ship Sea Frame Detachment 103; NR Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, Region Operations Center; and Military Sealift Command Far East Ship Support Unit Singapore. As a captain, she served as the commanding officer for the reserve headquarters unit for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet as well as the reserve chief of staff for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet Reserve Enterprise before mobilizing in 2021 to Bahrain and Coalition Task Force SENTINEL as the chief of staff. Sheldon continued her mobilization as the first U. S. Naval Forces Central Command Liaison Officer to Israel. She most recently served as the reserve chief of staff for U.S. 3rd Fleet and currently serves as the vice commander for U.S. 7th Fleet.
Her personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Female Athlete of the Year for 2001 and various other unit and service awards.