Commander Jason Flanagan was commissioned through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps and graduated from North Carolina State University in 2004 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Military Studies. He earned a Master’s of Science Degree in Astronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, completing the Space Systems Engineering program and Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification.
CDR Flanagan’s initial sea tour was in USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) as M-Division Officer and Assistant Training Officer, deploying with USS IWO JIMA Expeditionary Strike Group in support of Hurricane Katrina relief operations and evacuations of American citizens from Lebanon. His second sea tour was in USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) as Assistant First Lieutenant, supporting 5th and 6th Fleet operations. His next sea tour was in USS MASON (DDG 87) as Weapons Officer, Combat Systems Officer, and Senior Watch Officer, deploying with and supporting HARRY S. TRUMAN and NIMITZ Strike Groups as part of the First Combined Destroyer Squadron (CDS-1).
After completing two Department Head tours aboard MASON, CDR Flanagan transferred to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center-Detachment Dahlgren, the Navy’s lead organization for Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) where he conducted IAMD mission planning and analysis for all Numbered Fleets. He played a vital role in several Ballistic Missile Defense flight tests including Multi-Mission Warfare events where he validated AEGIS Combat Systems performance and formulated tactical guidance and doctrine for current and emerging Fleet capabilities. During this tour he was selected for lateral transfer from Surface Warfare Officer to Engineering Duty Officer.
After completing Engineering Duty Officer Basic Course, CDR Flanagan reported to SPAWAR Space Field Activity at the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia as Project Officer in the Advanced Systems and Technology Directorate. He led Research and Development efforts that aligned with warfighter priorities and identified capability gaps while developing multiple space vehicles, advanced studies, and modeling and simulation environments to improve national security space systems.
CDR Flanagan completed a tour at the Missile Defense Agency’s Sea-Based Weapon Systems program office in Dahlgren, VA where he was responsible for design, development, and sustainment of operationally effective Ballistic Missile Defense capability to Aegis cruisers, Destroyers, and ashore for defense of United States, our deployed forces, allies, and friends. In August 2022, CDR Flanagan reported to Surface Combat Systems Center, Wallops Island, Virginia, as Commanding Officer.
CDR Flanagan is a qualified Engineering Duty Officer, certified DAWIA Level 3 in Program Management, and a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three awards), and Expert in both Rifle and Pistol.