Superintendent, USNO

CAPT Kimberly M. Freitas, USN
Superintendent
U.S. Naval Observatory

Captain Kim Freitas was born and raised in Vienna, Virginia, and graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in May 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She holds a Master of Science in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School. She also attended the Joint Forces Staff College to complete her track as a Joint Qualified Officer. Following her qualification as a Surface Warfare Officer, she transferred into the Naval Oceanography community in 2002.
 
At sea, she served as the First Division Officer / First Lieutenant, Training Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer on USS Monterey (CG 61); as the Flag Oceanographer for Carrier Strike Group Eight, embarked on USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75); and as the 7th Fleet Oceanographer, embarked on USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).

 

Her shore assignments include Optimum Track Ship Routing Duty Officer and Command Duty Officer, Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Command in Yokosuka, Japan; Flag Aide to the Oceanographer of the Navy; Shift Director in the Situation Centre at Joint Force Command, Brunssum, Netherlands; Coordination Officer and Naval Support Officer for the NATO Integrated Meteorology and Oceanography Coordination Centre, at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe; and Executive Officer, Naval Oceanographic Office, Stennis Space Center.  She commanded Strike Group Oceanography Team San Diego from 2020 to 2022.  In June 2024, she assumed command as the 59th Superintendent, United States Naval Observatory.
 
Freitas’ personal awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
 
From 2012 to 2014, CAPT Freitas participated in the Career Intermission Program and lived in Lisbon, Portugal, where her husband served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Portuguese Navy. Originally from Faro, Portugal, Pedro is now a US citizen, and together they have one son, Marco (11).