Lt. Cmdr. Kate Szlamas, a native of Portland, Maine, enlisted in the Navy in 2001. She graduated from Washington State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in social science.  She received her commission through the Limited Duty Officer program in 2013. 
Her enlisted assignments include weapons department and combat acoustic division leading chief petty officer aboard USS Momsen (DDG 92).

Szlamas’ sea duty officer assignments include assistant operations officer, USS Benfold (DDG 65) where she served as the principle warfare coordinator for anti-submarine, surface, air, and ballistic missile defense; air defense officer, USS Lake Erie (CG 70); air defense officer and operations officer, USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) where she was the air and missile defense coordinator for the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group during a Western Pacific deployment; and most recently, assistant operations officer, USS Boxer (LHD 4). 

Ashore, she served as a naval gunfire liaison officer with 3d Marine Division Detachment and as the fires platoon commander in 1st Battalion, 12th Marines. 

Szlamas reported as officer in charge, Surface Combat Systems Training Command Det Middle Pacific in January 2025.

Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (four awards), and various unit commendations and service campaign awards.
 

Last Updated: 26 January 2026