Shanti Sethi - Female Commander US Vessel : USS Decatur

Shanti Sethi ( Female Commander US Vessel)

Shanti Sethi, commander of the USS Decatur, on March 16, 2011 became the first female commander os a United States Vessel to visit India when her ship docked in Chennai.

The port call of USS Decatur, a destroyer armed  with surface-to-air missile anrd anti-submarine rockets, was part of the US effort "to demonstrate commitment to regional partners". It came close on the heels of another visit by a US ship, the USNS Safeguard, which visited Port Blair in January 2011.

Shanti Sethi serving in the US navy since 1994, Sethi took over command of USS Decatur in 2010 and leads a predominantly male crew.

A native of Reno, Nevada, Sethi describes herself as "half Indian" with an American mother. She is Graduated from Norwich University in 1993 with a degree in International Affairs.
Sethi who was deployed in Arabian Gulf in 2001, has also served as a navigator on board USS Hopper.

A much decorated officer, her credits include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.