Lara Byrd

CCPO Program Manager

02 February 2023

Lieutenant Commander Lara C. Byrd commissioned in the Navy in 2011 as a Direct Accession and came on Active Duty in 2012. After completing Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island and Chaplain School at Fort Jackson, Chaplain Byrd reported to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay where she served as a Staff Chaplain.

In 2015, Byrd reported to the USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) in Norfolk, VA as the Command Chaplain. Her underway time included Fleet Week NY, NATO Exercise BALTOPS, and a FIFTH FLEET deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

She transferred to 2d Marine Logistics Group where she served as the Command Chaplain for 2d Supply Battalion in Camp Lejeune, NC. She detached from 2d Supply Battalion and transferred to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa where she deployed with the Command Element to Moron Air Base, Moron, Spain.

In 2020 she reported to Naval Recruiting Command Chaplain Site San Diego where she served as a Chaplain Officer Program Officer. She currently serves as the Chaplain Candidate Program Manager/Deputy Director, Chaplain Accessions Programs at Navy Recruiting Command in Millington TN.

Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit awards which include the Combat Action Ribbon and Battle “E". She has a diploma from the Naval War College, a Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Charleston, and a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.