Cmdr. James Van Nest
Chief Staff Officer, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4
20 November 2025
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Commander Van Nest graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004.
His operational tours include CIC Officer on the USS TAYLOR (FFG 50) and Operations and Executive Officer for PC CREW MIKE. As a Department Head, he served as the Operations Officer at Destroyer Squadron TWO SIX and as Operations Officer aboard USS COLE (DDG 67), deploying to 6th Fleet. He also served as the Executive Officer aboard USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56), USS PAUL HAMILTON (DDG 60), and ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT TWO. He commanded ASSAULT CRAFT UNIT TWO from June 2024 to August 2025. He reported to Amphibious Squadron FOUR as the Chief Staff Officer in September 2025.
Before heading to his first shore duty, Commander Van Nest served as a United Nations Military Observer in Liberia for six months in 2009. He then served as a Branch Chief at NATO Communications and Information Support Squadron in Northwood, UK from 2009-2011. Following his Department Head tours he was selected as an Olmsted Scholar (Class of 2016) during which time he studied in Budapest, Hungary. Commander Van Nest also served as the Future Operations Director for the Theater Undersea Warfare Commander for US Naval Forces Northern Command (CTF 84).
Commander Van Nest’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards) Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and various other unit awards, service medals, and ribbons. His education includes a Bachelor of Science in History from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Arts in International Relations (Security Studies) from Corvinus University Budapest.