Cmdr. William Elwood Snider III was born in Portsmouth, Va., and graduated from high school in Aurora, N.C. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1991, and after completion of Yeoman “A” School in Meridian, Miss., he was assigned aboard USS DIXON (AS 37), homeported in San Diego, Calif. During this tour, he deployed in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD.
In January 1996, Snider reported for duty to the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C. Subsequently, he was nominated and selected for assignment to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Staff.
Following his tour with the CNO’s Staff in Washington, D.C., Snider reported to Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17) in October 1999. During this tour, he made deployments in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM with the GEORGE WASHINGTON Battle Group.
In March 2003, Snider attended Flag Writer “C” School in Meridian, Miss., and reported for duty with OPNAV Warfare Integration Division (N70) in Washington, D.C. After promoting to Chief Petty Officer in September 2003, he was subsequently selected as the Flag Writer to the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
Snider received his commission under the Limited Duty Officer Program in April 2006 and reported aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), homeported in San Diego, Calif. During this tour, he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer and made deployments in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
In April 2009, Snider returned to Washington, D.C. for a tour as the Flag Secretary for OPNAV (N8). Upon completion of this tour in December 2011, he was requested by name as the N5 Chief Staff Officer with CNE-CNA-C6F in Naples, Italy.
In August 2015, he reported to Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT) in Norfolk, Va. After a year with SACT, Snider was detailed to fill a critical billet aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) as the Administrative Department Head. During this tour, he was selected for and received two prestigious Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Awards.
In February 2019, Snider reported aboard COMOPTEVFOR in Norfolk, Va., as the Executive Officer of Enlisted Staff and Flag Secretary. After a highly successful tour, he was selected in April 2022 to fill a new community billet and reported as the Executive Officer of Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads in Norfolk, Va., in June 2022.
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards).
Last Updated: 27 June 2022