Cmdr. KATIE H. JACOBSON
COMMANDING OFFICER, AFLOAT TRAINING GROUP NORFOLK
21 May 2024
Commander Katie (Hagen) Jacobson joined the Navy in 2004 after graduating from the Tulane University Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program in New Orleans, LA. Her first assignment was USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75) stationed in Norfolk, VA as the Auxiliaries Division Officer. In 2005, Jacobson deployed to the Arabian Gulf as part of the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Strike Group in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Jacobson deployed again in 2006 as the Training Officer on the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron Two-Eight (CDS 28) and was assigned to the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Strike Group. During her tour as Training Officer, she was assigned to the Department of Defense Why We Serve program, speaking to groups around the country about her personal military experiences.
In 2008, Commander Jacobson reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA where she graduated with distinction in Operations Analysis, M.S. In 2010, she reported as a Director Fellow to the CNO’s Strategic Studies Group (SSG) in Newport, RI and to Surface Warfare Officer School in 2011. Jacobson subsequently served as the Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer onboard USS PREBLE (DDG 88) from 2012–2015, deploying twice with the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Strike Group in the 7th Fleet Area of Operations. From 2015-2016, Commander Jacobson was assigned to the Federal Executive Fellowship Program at Research and Development (RAND) Corporation in Washington, DC. From 2016-2018, she served as a Congressional Liaison for the Director, Surface Warfare (N96) and Office of Legislative Affairs. From 2018-2020, she was a J35 planner at U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL. Most recently, she served as USS NITZE’s Commanding Officer.
Commander Jacobson’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various other personal, unit, and service awards. In 2023, she was a Vice Admiral James Stockdale Leadership Award Finalist.
Commander Jacobson currently resides in Virginia Beach, VA with her husband Kevin and two sons, Parker (7) and Logan (5).