Lt. Cmdr. Karissa M. Kleinschmidt
Executive Officer, Naval Information Warfare Training Group (NIWTG) San Diego
22 September 2025
Lt. Cmdr. Karissa Kleinschmidt received her commission in 2014 through the United States Naval Academy where she received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University.
Lt. Cmdr. Kleinschmidt’s first sea assignment was on USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) where she deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and earned her Surface Warfare Officer qualification. After transferring to the Information Professional community, she served as the N6 Department Head at Amphibious Squadron THREE and deployed with USS America (LHA 6) Amphibious Ready Group to the Horn of Africa and Persian Gulf in continued support of Operation Inherent Resolve and multi-national exercises. In November 2019, she reported to Naval Special Warfare Group TWO where she deployed as the J6 Director for Joint Special Operations Task Force – Somalia. In this role, she directly supported Operation Octave Quartz overseeing the strategic repositioning of U.S. Department of Defense personnel from Somalia to other operating locations throughout East Africa.
Her shore assignments included serving as Fleet Communications Officer at U.S. 2
nd Fleet and Force Communications Officer for Navy Expeditionary Combat Command before reporting to her current assignment.
Lt. Cmdr. Kleinschmidt’s personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as multiple unit and service awards.