Thursday, July 24, 2014

CO in the spotlight - Commander Joe Sears - NIOC Pensacola

Commander Sears is a native of Lexington, KY and a 1989 graduate of the University of Kentucky receiving a B.A. in Political Science. He subsequently graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned his Masters of Science in Computer Science in 2004.

Originally serving as a Cryptologic Collection Technician Collection (CTR), he completed initial training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes and Cryptologic Collection “A” School, Fort Devens, MA in 1991. He served his initial assignment at Naval Security Group Activity Misawa, Japan. In 1994, he reported to the USS GETTYSBURG (CG-64) as cryptologic analyst conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea and Caribbean Sea.

In July 1996, Commander Sears commissioned as a Special Duty Officer (Cryptology), now Information Warfare Officer. He was designated a Joint Qualified Officer after his joint tour at U.S. Cyber Command in 2013.

Assignments have included: National Security Agency (NSA), Information Assurance (IA) Directorate as the Navy Advocate for Information Assurance; Pre-commissioning Detachment ROOSEVELT as the detachment Officer in Charge; USS ROOSEVELT (DDG-80) as the Signals Information Warfare Officer supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and maritime interception operations; Navy Information Operations Command Suitland as the Advanced Projects & Demonstrations Deputy Department Head where he also earned his Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) certification; Commander, SEVENTH Fleet as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator and Collection Manager; U.S. Cyber Command as an intelligence operations planner and Chief, Combat Targeting; and Navy Information Operations Command Maryland where he served as the N3/CTF 1060 Operations Officer directing cryptologic and cyber operations supporting fleet commanders worldwide.

Commander Sears’ awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (4), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, South West Asia Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marksman Pistol (expert), and various unit and service awards.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shouldn't he have a command ashore pin?

YN1 (SW/AW) John Thomas said...

As long as we are nitpicking, aren't the joint medals listed "JOINT SERVICE" (i.e., Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal)?

If you post a bio, it should be correct.

Anonymous said...

As an E6, I served with CDR Sears. He was a really great Dept. Head and when he had the time, he would stop and talk with his junior Sailors. He usually has really great advice to give. Just a really great guy in general.

Anonymous said...

Great Skipper. Glad to have him aboard.

Anonymous said...

Great Leader and splendid sailor. He cares about his shipmates and treats shipmates with class and compassion.