MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Lieutenant Commander Dawana Jones, daughter of Inez Jones of Waynesville, was promoted to the rank of Commander at a ceremony hosted at the Naval Support Activity Mid-South Chapel, June 1.
Captain Douglas Howell, Assistant Commander, Navy Personnel Command, Reserve Personnel Management (PERS-9) served as the Presiding Officer.
Commander Jones is currently assigned to the Medical Department of the PERS-9 Staff, previously serving as Division Director of the Career Transition Office (PERS-97) where she oversaw the transition of members separating from Active Duty and affiliating into the Navy Reserve. Under her tenure, the CTO Staff has increased the number of members joining the Ready Reserve to an all-time high, accounting for 88% of Navy Recruiting Command’s Prior Service Mission.
Commander Jones enlisted in the Navy on November 1, 1988 from Waynesville, Georgia as a Torpedoman’s Mate Seaman Recruit.
Commander Jones is currently assigned to the Medical Department of the PERS-9 Staff, previously serving as Division Director of the Career Transition Office (PERS-97) where she oversaw the transition of members separating from Active Duty and affiliating into the Navy Reserve. Under her tenure, the CTO Staff has increased the number of members joining the Ready Reserve to an all-time high, accounting for 88% of Navy Recruiting Command’s Prior Service Mission.
Commander Jones enlisted in the Navy on November 1, 1988 from Waynesville, Georgia as a Torpedoman’s Mate Seaman Recruit.
During her enlisted service, she served in many different capacities on multiple platforms including USS Holland (AS-32), Naval Magazine Lualualei, USS MCKEE (AS-40), Naval Submarine Support Center, Pearl Harbor USS Chappelle (TWR 7).
After extremely successful tours, including her selection as Naval Submarine Support Command’s Sailor of the Year and Runner up for SUBPAC’s Sea Sailor of the Year, she was meritoriously Command Advanced to Petty Officer First Class.
In April 2001, she was selected for a commission, and upon completion of the Division Officers Course, she had successful tours aboard the USS O’BANNON (DD-987), Destroyer Squadron Fourteen (CDS 14), USS ROBERTS (FFG-58) and Navy Operational Support Center, Orlando.
After extremely successful tours, including her selection as Naval Submarine Support Command’s Sailor of the Year and Runner up for SUBPAC’s Sea Sailor of the Year, she was meritoriously Command Advanced to Petty Officer First Class.
In April 2001, she was selected for a commission, and upon completion of the Division Officers Course, she had successful tours aboard the USS O’BANNON (DD-987), Destroyer Squadron Fourteen (CDS 14), USS ROBERTS (FFG-58) and Navy Operational Support Center, Orlando.
In November 2008, she redesignated from Surface Warfare Officer to Human Resources Officer
in the Full Time Support Community, and later served at OPNAV N150, Navy Recruiting District Miami, and Navy Operational Support Center Tallahassee.
There have been significant changes since Commander Jones entered the Navy in 1988.
in the Full Time Support Community, and later served at OPNAV N150, Navy Recruiting District Miami, and Navy Operational Support Center Tallahassee.
There have been significant changes since Commander Jones entered the Navy in 1988.
“When I joined the Navy, women at sea were only allowed to serve onboard Submarine Tenders, Destroyer Tenders and dry docks," Jones said. "It has been amazing and an honor to watch and be a part of the continued transformation of the world's most powerful Navy.”
With almost three decades of leadership and experience, Commander Jones serves as an inspiration for all, a mentor to many, both locally, and around the fleet.
With almost three decades of leadership and experience, Commander Jones serves as an inspiration for all, a mentor to many, both locally, and around the fleet.
“Mentorship is an absolute necessity and anyone who believes that they can make it without mentorship is sadly mistaken," Jones said.
When asked about what positive influences have defined her, she replied, "the greatest positive influence since joining the Navy has been my growing faith and trust in God. He has placed the right people in my path at the right time. Those 'right people' have come in many shapes, forms and fashions. They have believed in me and encouraged me, when I was unable to do it for myself. One of my favorites quotes is by Norman Vincent Peale, 'Reach for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.'
“For me, sustained superior performance stems from a strong will to do the right thing, the strong desire to serve something bigger than me, always feeling that I have to work a little bit harder and that the is always still more work to be done!”
The CNO’s Navy Leader Development Strategy (NLDS) states, “The cornerstone for Navy
leader development is a comprehensive, career-long Navy Leader Development Continuum that integrates four core elements – experience, education, training, and personal development – through leader development outcomes to produce fully prepared leaders. A continuous assessment process will ensure that a leader’s development remains current and relevant.”
“For me, sustained superior performance stems from a strong will to do the right thing, the strong desire to serve something bigger than me, always feeling that I have to work a little bit harder and that the is always still more work to be done!”
The CNO’s Navy Leader Development Strategy (NLDS) states, “The cornerstone for Navy
leader development is a comprehensive, career-long Navy Leader Development Continuum that integrates four core elements – experience, education, training, and personal development – through leader development outcomes to produce fully prepared leaders. A continuous assessment process will ensure that a leader’s development remains current and relevant.”