CMDR. Jonathan L. Paiz
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT (ACU) 4
19 July 2023
Originally from Cathedral City, California, Commander Paiz is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in History.
For his first division officer tour, he reported on board USS PORTER (DDG 78) in June 2008 as the Engineering Training Assistant for his initial assignment. After assuming the responsibility of Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Officer and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) Officer he executed a rigorous independent deployment certification cycle and deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism to the Fifth Fleet AOR.
In August 2010, CDR Paiz reported to Commander Amphibious Squadron Six and was assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer, the Ship-to-Shore Officer, and the VBSS Operations Officer for BATAAN ARG. While preparing for PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training, BATARG was surge deployed to Sixth Fleet in support of Operation New Dawn, completing an 11-month deployment in February 2012.
In lieu of a traditional shore tour, CDR Paiz completed Riverine pipeline training and reported as Detachment OIC, Riverine Squadron TWO, Det 3 in May 2012 and deployed to Senegal, Africa in support of AFRICOM Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 13.2. After merging with Mobile Expeditionary Security Squadron TWO, he completed a deployment to the Fifth Fleet AOR.
Upon completion of the Department Head pipeline in September 2016, CDR Paiz reported to USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) as the Operations Officer. While there he helped plan and execute a Bilateral ASW Exercise as well as multiple AAW and ASUW unit level exercises and a compressed basic phase certification.
In June 2018, CDR Paiz reported to USS BATAAN (LHD 5) as the Navigator where he completed a post availability Navigation Certification and executed a compressed training cycle and Foreign Humanitarian Aid deployment to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas post Hurricane Dorian while “dual hatted” as the BATARG Force Navigator.
In March 2020, CDR Paiz completed the Amphibious Warfare Tactics Instructor pipeline to become a “Patched” AMW Warfare Tactics Instructor. He was then assigned as the N8/N9 Amphibious Warfare Requirements and Experimentation Branch Head at SMWDC AMW Division.
CDR Paiz assumed the duties as Executive Officer for Assault Craft Unit Four in Little Creek, VA on 12 June 2023.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 Awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (2 Awards), and various other personal, unit, and service awards.