Navy Captain Sunny Mitchell is a native of Newport News, Virginia and an ordained Baptist Minister endorsed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). She earned her Masters of Divinity (MDiv) at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in and a Masters of Theology (ThM) at Duke University. In 2004 Chaplain Mitchell was assigned to the Chapel at Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) in Sasebo, Japan. In January 2007 LT Mitchell reported to Combat Logistics Regiment 17 (CLR-17) at 1st Marine Logistics Group (1 MLG) in Camp Pendleton, CA. In January 2008, she deployed with the 15th MEU(SOC) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Upon arriving back at Camp Pendleton in December 2008, LT Mitchell served as the Training and Operations Chaplain at 1st MLG; she also proudly fought for Camp Pendleton’s Mixed Martial Arts Team. In the spring of 2009 Chaplain Mitchell deployed again as an Individual Augment (IA) to Expeditionary Medical Facility in Kuwait (EMFK) where she served as Command Chaplain. In March of 2009 LT Mitchell reported onboard USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) in Norfolk, VA and served as the Religious Ministry Department’s Division Officer and completed the ship’s first combat deployment in support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Chaplain Mitchell then served as Sector Chaplain to USCG Sectors Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI and Sault Sainte Marie (West) from 2012-2015, during which she was promoted to LCDR. Selected for the Navy’s Advanced Education Program (AEP), LCDR Mitchell attended Duke University during 2015-2016. She next served as the Command Chaplain at Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, US Pacific Fleet (COMVAQWINGPAC), at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. In 2019 she began a one-year tour as Chaplain Corps Program Officer (CHOPO) for Navy Recruiting Command where she promoted to Commander. She received orders to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) where she served as Religious Ministries Head of Department (HOD) from 2020-2022, completing the 2022 deployment. Captain Mitchell completed a three-year tour at Coast Guard District’s Heartland District, as the District Chaplain in 2025.

Her personal awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, USCG Commendation Medal, and four Navy Marine Corps Navy Achievement Medals.