Capt. Jeff Baker
Commodore, Naval Surface Squadron FIVE
29 September 2020
Capt. Baker enlisted in the Navy in 1994 following graduation from Westminster College in Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. degree in Physics. He completed nuclear propulsion training and served two years as an instructor at NPTU Ballston Spa, N.Y. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School and upon completion of Division Officer School, he was assigned to USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12) as the main propulsion officer. He went on to serve a second division officer tour at Assault Craft Unit Two as a detachment OIC and LCU craftmaster.
Following his division officer tours, he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. to earn a M.S. in Systems Engineering & Analysis and also completed the Naval War College Joint Professional Military Education.
Upon completion of Department Head School, Capt. Baker served as the chief engineer onboard USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44). He went on to assume command of Patrol Coastal Crew DELTA and USS HURRICANE (PC 3), followed by USS FIREBOLT (PC 10) while forward deployed to the 5th Fleet AOR.
Following command, Capt. Baker was selected as a Federal Executive Fellow in Washington D.C. and worked on U.S. Maritime Strategy in the Defense Studies group at the American Enterprise Institute. His follow on assignment was at COMNAVSURFLANT to work material readiness improvements for amphibious and patrol coastal ships. Next reporting aboard the USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45), he served as executive officer. He then joined as a senior assessor for SURFLANT ships at Engineering Assessments Atlantic, before taking command of USS TORTUGA (LSD 46). Once completing that tour, Capt. Baker returned to Engineering Assessments Atlantic as commanding officer. After earning a M.S. in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School, Capt. Baker is currently assigned as the deputy commander for CNNS-5 in Bahrain.
CDR Baker’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the GWOT Expeditionary and Service Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and various other campaign medals and unit awards.