CDR Jonathan C. Raia

Past Deputy Commodore & Chief Staff Officer, SURFACE DEVELOPMENT SQUADRON ONE (SURFDEVRON 1)

27 November 2022 Commander Raia graduated cum laude from Rutgers University with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership graduating magna cum laude from National University, and a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, a Joint Qualified Officer, UPENN’s Wharton Business School, Level II certified in Acquisition Program Management, and a Master Training Specialist.

His operational tours as a Surface Warfare Officer were deployed conducting counter-narcotic operations in the Caribbean Sea and South Pacific Ocean as the Damage Control Assistant on USS MCCLUSKY (FFG 41); deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM as the Weapons Department Head on USS DEYO (DD 989). As an Intelligence Officer, his O4 milestone tour was the N2 for SEAL Team FIVE and deployed as the Director of Intelligence and Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO) for Special Operations Task Force – West in Iraq twice. He was selected for an additional operational tour as the SIO/J3 Operations Officer for the Defense Clandestine Service, Global Operations Division/San Diego Base, and deployed as the J2X for a Special Operations Joint Task Force in Afghanistan. He also deployed as the J2/Director of Intelligence for Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) forward command element based in Southeast Asia. His O5 milestone tour was the N2/Director of Intelligence for Naval Special Warfare Group ONE (NSWG-1) dual-hatted as the Senior Information Warfare Officer for 10 subordinate commands and detachments across the NSWG-1 enterprise. He recently completed a deployment as an Individual Augmentee to U.S. Army Europe/Africa Headquarters as the G2X HUMINT Senior Intelligence Officer in support of the Ukraine/Russia Crisis.

CDR Raia’s shore tours include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Headquarters as the Senior Watch Officer for the Multiple Threat Alert Center; the Naval Liaison to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Counterterrorism Directorate/National Joint Terrorism Task Force; the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Joint Intelligence Task Force-Combating Terrorism Warning & Fusion Center. He also held staff positions at the Fleet Intelligence Training Center Pacific as the Naval Special Warfare Department Head, and at SOCPAC as the J2X, Chief of Counterintelligence and HUMINT followed by the J23, Chief of Intelligence Operations and Navy Element Executive Officer. Lastly he was the SIO for the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Space Systems.

CDR Raia’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Combat Action Ribbon (2), and various campaign, service, and unit medals. He is also the recipient of the Knowlton Award for Military Intelligence. He is an Advanced Open Water Diver, U.S. Parachute Association jumpmaster, Military Free Fall parachutist, an Office of Strategic Services Society member, and a member of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society in Business Administration.