Tuesday, February 19, 2013

High Effort/High Results Leader

In some great news this weekend, Commander Jennifer Couture was selected to replace Commander Corey Wofford as the Commanding Officer of USS KAUFFMAN (DDG 59) (FFG 59).  She previously served as the Executive Officer of USS PORTER (DDG 78).  She is widely viewed as the antithesis to the former CO of USS COWPENS.

A native of Vineland, New Jersey, CDR Jennifer Couture was commissioned through the NROTC program at The George Washington University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations. At sea, CDR Couture served as Electronics Division Officer in USS WASP (LHD 1) and Auxiliaries Officer in USS SAIPAN (LHA 2), where she earned her Surface Warfare Officer qualification. As a Department Head, CDR Couture served in USS ELROD (FFG 55) as Combat Systems Officer, and in USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) as Operations Officer. She has deployed in support of Operations JOINT ENDEAVOR, ACTIVE ENDEAVOR, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM. While ashore, CDR Couture served as Current Surface Operations Officer for Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Flag Secretary to the Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic; and Contingency Plans Officer, U.S. Joint Forces Command. 

She earned her Master of Arts degree in International Studies at Old Dominion University (2004), and completed her Joint Professional Military Education as a student of the Naval War College (2006) and the Joint Forces Staff College (2010). 

Her personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Fourth Award), and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

Congratulations Skipper Couture!  All ahead FULL.

Commander Jennifer Couture while Executive Officer of USS PORTER

5 comments:

  1. Excuse me Sir, USS Kaufman FFG-59.

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  2. @ Anon 11;32 AM

    Many thanks!! Greatly appreciated.

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  3. Wasn't she XO of a ship (USS Porter) that collided in 5th fleet. Congratulations on meeting quotas

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  4. Yes, she was XO. CO was responsible for the collision. She had a VERY successful command tour on KAUFMAN and is serving as the assistant chief of staff (ACOS) for personnel on the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic.

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  5. Too bad she is still a horrible commander and not 1/2 of what Mr. Arriola was. You may say he was responsible for the collision... well, he was as responsible as any CO would be.

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