Capt. JASON N. LESTER
Deputy Commodore, Destroyer Squadron Two Eight
06 February 2025
Captain Lester hails from Evans, Georgia. He is a 2000 graduate of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia where he was a four-year varsity Cross-country runner and majored in both Health and Physical Education. He quickly joined the Navy in November 2000 and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida.
Following his initial Surface Warfare Officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, he was assigned to USS TRENTON (LPD-14) on which he severed as 1st Division, Weapons, and Combat Information Center Officer. His second Division Officer tour was onboard USS CAPE ST GEORGE (CG-71) as Main Propulsion Assistant. During this tour, he obtained his first of three qualifications as Engineering Officer of the Watch. Next, he completed a shore assignment as a Gas turbine and Lead Cruiser Engineering Instructor at Surface Warfare Officer's School Command in Newport, Rhode Island. Following this shore tour and Department Head School, he served as Chief Engineer onboard USS WINSTON S CHURCHILL (DDG-81) and USS NORMANDY (CG-60).
He is a February 2013 graduate of the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island with a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and National Security Affairs. Upon graduating, he reported to OPNAV N96 for duty as the DDG 1000 Requirements Officer. Additionally, he served at Navy Personnel Command as a Surface Warfare Officer CDR and LCDR Detailer (PERS-41).
He began duties as Executive Officer onboard USS FARRAGUT (DDG 99) in Mayport, Florida in June 2017 and assumed command in December 2018. Upon completion of command in July of 2020, Captain Lester attended the Joint Forces Staff College to complete Joint Professional Military Education. Following graduation, he reported to the Joint Staff, J-3 Operations Directorate, to serve as the Branch Chief for Space and Missile Defense in the J-36, Deputy Directorate for Nuclear and Homeland Defense Operations. In August 2022, Captain Lester reported for duty at the Navy Inspector General, IG-30 and served dual hated as the Deputy Director of Inspections and the Assistant Naval Inspector General for Fleet Support – Surface Warfare.
Captain Lester is now currently serving as Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO EIGHT.