MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A native of Canal Winchester, Ohio, was promoted to captain while serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Florida.
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| Capt. Jacob Catalogna gives remarks during his promotion ceremony in August on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. |
Captains comprise less than 1% of the Navy and earning the rank is a significant career milestone. Capt. Jacob Catalogna was promoted during a ceremony in August on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Catalogna graduated from William V. Fisher Catholic High School in 1997. Additionally, Catalogna earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio State University in 2001 and a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from National Intelligence University in 2011.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Canal Winchester.
“I learned a number of lessons from my hometown that had direct application during my tenure in the military thus far,” said Catalogna. “I learned service before self and the importance of being involved in your community via the Boy Scouts of America. I learned the importance of teamwork from my time with the Boy Scouts, and team sports such as basketball, soccer, and quiz team in high school.”
The values Catalogna learned from his family have also made a difference in his career.
“I learned my work ethic and the importance of doing a job right the first time initially from my father, Vincent Catalogna,” said Catalogna. “This was furthered working construction for my uncle, Paul Catalogna, and working for the Morleys at the local Dairy Queen. The lessons of attention to detail and the importance of standards from these experiences poised me for success in future jobs and in the United States Navy.”
“I learned my work ethic and the importance of doing a job right the first time initially from my father, Vincent Catalogna,” said Catalogna. “This was furthered working construction for my uncle, Paul Catalogna, and working for the Morleys at the local Dairy Queen. The lessons of attention to detail and the importance of standards from these experiences poised me for success in future jobs and in the United States Navy.”
Catalogna joined the Navy 23 years ago. Today, he serves in the Intelligence Directorate at USSOCOM where he enables Special Operations Forces and empowers decision superiority for strategic leaders in the Department of Defense and the United States government.
Catalogna has served in intelligence and leadership positions at sea and ashore, including as assistant intelligence officer aboard USS Carl Vinson, as director of intelligence at U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, and as deputy chief of the Iran Office of Analysis at U.S. Central Command.
“As a third-generation sailor, I joined the Navy to be part of the long legacy of service to our country and preserve the quality of life and freedom I enjoyed growing up, to see the world, and to be part of something bigger than myself,” said Catalogna. “My father, Vincent Catalogna, and uncle, John Catalogna, were snipes (engineers) in the Navy during Vietnam. My grandfather, William McGee, was an MP in the Marine Corps during Vietnam. Three great uncles served in the Navy during WWII. Robert Sestito, a retired master chief, was a significant mentor during my high school years and was a shining example of excellence and service.”
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| Capt. Jacob Catalogna poses with his wife and sons during his promotion ceremony. |
Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, USSOCOM develops and employs fully capable special operations forces to conduct global special operations and activities as part of the Joint Force to support combatant command operations and campaigns against state and non-state actors to protect and advance U.S. policies and objectives.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Catalogna serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Catalogna has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy has been success in accomplishing the mission – working with foreign navies, repelling piracy, counter-narcotics missions, rescues at sea, strikes on ISIS, responding to humanitarian disasters, etc.,” said Catalogna. “I’m proud of empowering the decision-making of strategic leaders through my team’s analysis, and seeing my personnel promote, earn accolades, earn degrees, reach their goals and get recognized for their stellar work.”
Catalogna can take pride in serving America through military service.
“To me, service in the Navy has empowered me to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Catalogna. “I have had the opportunity to have the trust of my leadership and the nation, the privilege to support and defend the Constitution, thwart our adversaries, serve as an ambassador to foreign nations/militaries and work with the finest sons and daughters America has to offer.”
Catalogna is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to give a shout-out to my grandfather, William R. McGee, who has been an inspiration as a warrior, citizen and family man,” added Catalogna. “I would like to thank my wife, Amy, my sons, Aiden and James, my mother, Patricia, and my brothers and sisters, and extended family and family friends who have been so supportive of my military service.”