Commander Vanessa Hamm, a native of Detroit, Michigan, spent much of her upbringing in Shorter, Alabama. She attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Naval Science. On December 23, 1993, she was commissioned as a Naval Ensign through the Atlanta Region Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) and began her career as a cryptologist.

Career Overview

Commander Hamm’s initial assignment was at Naval Computers and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS) in Finegayan, Guam, serving as a cryptologic watch officer. She also embarked on the USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) under the “Women at Sea” program, becoming one of the Navy’s first female officers to serve aboard tactical mission ships. During a temporary assignment in Diego Garcia due to manning constraints, she served as Classic Wizard Division Officer until a permanent officer was assigned. Upon returning to Guam, she assumed the role of Classic Wizard Division Chief after completing the Cryptologic Division Officer Course (CDOC) in Washington, DC, and the Classic Wizard Division Officer Course in Winter Harbor, Maine, in 1994.

In 1996, she transferred to the Kunia Regional Security Operations Center (KRSOC) in Oahu, Hawaii, where she served as a Direct Support Officer. During this tour, she deployed on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and USS Frank Cable (AS-40) and acted as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator for the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Amphibious Readiness Group. She also served as the Lead Joint Operation Watch Officer and completed her Department Head tour as the Command’s Electronic Maintenance Officer.

From 1999 to 2001, CDR Hamm served aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) as the Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space and Electronic Warfare Division Officer. She was dual-hatted as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator for the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group.

In 2002, she attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, earning a Master’s degree in Information Systems Technology while completing Phase One of her Joint Professional Military Education (JPME). She later completed JPME Phase Two at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2004. She then served at the U.S. Central Command Joint Intelligence Center as Deputy Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Collection Manager and later as Non-Kinetic Targets Branch Chief, earning qualifications as a Targets Officer and Joint Qualified Officer.

Subsequent assignments included roles as the staff Cryptologist and Cryptologic Resource Coordinator for Commander Carrier Strike Group Five aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and later the USS George Washington (CVN-73) in Yokosuka, Japan.

Recognizing the growing importance of cyber warfare, CDR Hamm transferred in 2009 to the Navy Network Warfare Command at Fort Meade as Deputy Operations. She became a plank owner for the U.S. TENTH Fleet/Fleet Cyber Command during its establishment.

In 2011, she transitioned to an Information Professional role at U.S. Central Command, where she led the Knowledge Management Branch as Chief of Staff Knowledge Manager.

Her final assignment before retirement was at the National Security Agency Georgia, where she served as Deputy Chief for Middle East North Africa. She led multi-service and civilian personnel in intelligence processing and reporting, qualifying as an Alternate Senior Mission Manager and earning a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. She also contributed to the Workforce Development organization under the NSA21 initiative.

Awards and Personal Life

CDR Hamm’s accolades include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

She is a devoted mother to her daughter, Olivia, age 14, and resides in retirement with her focus on family and future endeavors.