CDR Jake Ferrari

Past Commanding Officer, USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60)

29 April 2022 Commander Jake Ferrari is from Des Moines, Iowa. He is a 2004 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and has earned a Master of Arts in Political Science from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a certificate in Legislative Studies from the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University.

His operational assignments include division officer tours as the communications officer aboard USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) and as the naval beach group representative for the TARAWA Expeditionary Strike Group. He served aboard USS MILIUS (DDG 69) and USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG 71) for his department head tours, serving as the operations officer for both tours. 

Ashore, CDR Ferrari was a Surface Analysis Branch for Evaluating and Reporting (SABER) analyst at the Office of Naval Intelligence. He was the aide to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He served as a defense fellow in the personal office of U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (VA-01), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. He completed a joint tour at the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment as a program analyst. 

CDR Ferrari assumed command of USS PAUL HAMILTON (DDG 60) in April of 2022. Previously, he served as the ship’s executive officer.

His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit and campaign awards.