Captain William ‘Bill’ Sherrod is a 1994 graduate from Jacksonville University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval War College, College of Naval Warfare, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. 

Capt. Sherrod served operational assignments as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) and USS Shamal (PC 13). As a Naval Aviator, he served in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 46 and HSL-44 which included deployed operations embarked USS Dewert (FFG 45), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), and USS Hue City (CG 66). Capt. Sherrod served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of HSL-49, as Navigator on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), and as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer on USS Somerset (LPD 25). 

Ashore, Capt. Sherrod served as a Joint Concepts Planner at U.S. Special Operations Command and deployed as the Chief of Operations for Joint Task Force, Balad, Iraq. Additionally, he served as a policy analyst assigned to Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific. Capt. Sherrod most recently served as Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity Lakehurst and Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst Deputy Commander – Navy.  

Capt. Sherrod reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in July 2021 where he served as the Director, President’s Action Group, and the Deputy Director (Navy) Naval Warfare Studies Institute, Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives, Assistant Chief of Staff for Aviation Activities, and the Air Warfare Chair prior to assuming duties as Chief of Staff and Commanding Officer, Military Staff Element. 

Capt. Sherrod is authorized to wear the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, and several Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medals, and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals.