COMMANDER CLAY M. PENDERGRASS
Commanding Officer, Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School
CDR Clay M. Pendergrass was born in New Orleans, La. in 1971. Upon graduating from C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, La., CDR Pendergrass enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January, 1990. He graduated Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training in 1991 with class 178.
His first assignment was at SEAL Team THREE where he completed two WESTPAC ARG BRAVO platoons and a brief assignment as an instructor for the NSW West Coast Sniper Course of Instruction. While at SEAL Team THREE, he was selected for a ROTC scholarship and reported to the University of San Diego in 1995. CDR Pendergrass graduated with a degree in Foreign Affairs and was commissioned in 1998.
CDR Pendergrass reported to SEAL Team TWO in the summer of 1998. During his tour, then ENS Pendergrass deployed as the MARG LNO. It was on this deployment that he first met his future wife in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. He also deployed twice as the Assistant Officer in Charge of EUCOM platoons. His next assignment was at Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO as the Future Operations and MCADS Officer. He reported to Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA in July, 2004 for a seven month tour to study French. CDR Pendergrass completed his Platoon Officer in Charge tour at SEAL Team ONE with a deployment to Iraq. His next assignment was to SEAL Team SEVENTEEN where he completed tours as the Operations and Executive Officer from August 2008 to May 2012. CDR Pendergrass was next sent to Afghanistan to be the Current Operations Officer for the stand-up of the newly formed Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan. Upon completion of this assignment, CDR Pendergrass reported to USSOCOM where he served as the Director of Operations for the J3-AFG.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze star (with valor), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
CDR Pendergrass assumed command of the NAVSCIATTS team July 9, 2015.