MAYPORT, Fla. – Cmdr. Jon Williams, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, serves aboard one of the country’s most versatile combat ships, USS St. Louis, operating out of Mayport, Florida.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Williams, a 2001 graduate of Principia High School in Town and Country, Missouri, joined the Navy 17 years ago. Additionally, Williams graduated from the University of South Florida in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and from the University of Arkansas in 2012 with a Master of Science in Operations Management.
“I always admired the military and those who chose to serve,” said Williams. “I was in college when 9/11 happened. This was a galvanizing event for me and I felt the need to serve my country, so I chose to pursue a career with the Navy.”
Today, Williams relies upon skills and values similar to those found in St. Louis to succeed in the military.
“The discipline and hard work ethic that was instilled in me by my high school football coach, who served in the Marines during Vietnam War, was also reinforced by what my parents taught me growing up,” said Williams. “This has served me well throughout my naval career.”
These lessons have helped Williams while serving in the Navy.
St. Louis is a fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatant that operates in near-shore and open-ocean environments, according to Navy officials. Littoral combat ships integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
Littoral combat ships are hybrid surface combatants that lead manned-unmanned teams using unmanned aerial systems like the Fire Scout and Expeditionary Ordnance Disposal forces unmanned underwater vehicles. They conduct forward and maritime security missions like the Secretary of Defense Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. The ships also strengthen partnerships through port visits in small island nations like Tahiti and Fiji due to their shallow-depth hull.
According to Navy officials, the path to becoming an LCS sailor is unique and challenging. The culmination of their 18-month training pipeline, sailors qualify on a virtual reality simulator that is nearly identical to the ship. This intense and realistic training pipeline allows sailors to execute their roles and responsibilities immediately upon stepping on board.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Serving in the Navy means Williams is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our Navy is America's away team,” said Williams. “We are always deployed, whether or not the nation is at war, and poised to protect our national interests overseas.”
Williams and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is taking command of USS St. Louis on January 13, 2023,” said Williams. “Taking command is the pinnacle of a naval officer’s career. Being put in charge of a ship and responsible for her crew is not equaled to anything in the civilian sector.”
As Williams and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I'm proud to serve my nation, instill a sense of service in my children and grateful to lead my outstanding crew,” said Williams. “If we ever go to war, I want to be on the front line leading my team to the fight.”
Williams is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Robin, and my three children, Chance, 13, Bryce, 12, and Finley, 9,” said Williams. “I would not be where I am today without them, and they are the brightest part of my day. I would also like to thank my parents, Calvin and Nancy, for their love and support and for setting me on the right path.”
“I look forward to sailing USS St. Louis to the Caribbean Sea later this year on her maiden deployment,” added Williams.