CDR Bob Jones

Commander Bob “AB” Jones is a former Senior Military Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Commander Jones enlisted in the Navy in March 1992 and served on USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Sacramento (AOE 1), reaching the rank of Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class before being selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1997. He graduated from the University of Arizona with bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science and was commissioned in May, 2000.

As a Surface Warfare Officer, Commander Jones has served as Damage Control Assistant and Assistant Weapons Officer on USS Decatur (DDG 73), Chief Engineer on USS Milius (DDG 69), and Executive Officer on USS Gary (FFG 51).

In addition to his shipboard assignments, Jones has served in staff billets as the Material Officer at Amphibious Squadron FIVE (CPR 5), Amphibious and Maritime Security Operations Officer at Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific (CSFTP) and as a Gas Turbine Assessor at Engineering Assessments Pacific (EAP). He also completed two Global War on Terrorism Support Assignments, first as a Maritime Watch Officer at U.S. Central Command Headquarters and then as the Surface Maintenance Officer for Expeditionary Strike Group FIVE (ESG 5) in Manama, Bahrain.

His most recent tour was as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of Naval Beach Unit SEVEN (NBU 7) - the only command with combined Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and Beach Master Unit (BMU) elements in the Navy - in Sasebo, Japan.

Commander Jones has completed six Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf deployments and one counter-narcotics independent deployment to the Eastern Pacific. He has earned master’s degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and History from National University. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal and other service medals and ribbons.