CAPT Jonathan A. “Jon” Hopkins

COMMANDING OFFICER, AFLOAT TRAINING GROUP, WESTERN PACIFIC (ATGWP)

21 December 2022 CAPT Hopkins is a native of Fallbrook, California and grew up in Peyton, Colorado. He earned his commission as an Ensign in 2001 through the University of Rochester Naval ROTC program, receiving a B.A. in History. Following commissioning, he was cross-decked to USS RAMAGE (DDG 61) briefly before reporting to USS COLE (DDG 67) where he served in the Engineering Department. He later joined the Forward Deployed Naval Forces out of Yokosuka, Japan as Navigator aboard USS CUSHING (DD 985). Following Department Head training in Newport, RI, he reported to USS JOHN S. McCAIN (DDG 56) in Yokosuka, Japan, as the ship’s Engineering Officer. 

Captain Hopkins was selected for early command in 2010 and reported to USS PATRIOT (MCM 7) in Sasebo, Japan as Executive Officer in 2011. He held command of PATRIOT under the fleet up program from 2012 to 2014. During that time the crew earned two consecutive Battle Efficiency awards and completed numerous combined operations with the Japanese and Republic of Korea navies as part of Task Force 76 in Seventh Fleet. He served as Executive Officer in USS MILIUS (DDG 69) from March 2017 through November 2018. CAPT Hopkins held command of MILIUS from February of 2019 to July of 2020. During that time, MILIUS deployed throughout the SEVENTH Fleet area of operations earning the 2019 Spokane Trophy, as well as the 2019 Battle Efficiency and Bloodhound awards. Following MILIUS, he served as the Seventh Fleet Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Generation and Director of Task Force Integrated Air and Missile Defense. 

Ashore, he served as a Damage Control Instructor at the Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, RI. During that time, he earned a M. A. in International Relations, with a concentration in Homeland Security from Salve Regina University in 2008, as well as completing Joint Professional Military Education phase one from the Naval War College. In 2014 he completed the Joint Combined Warfighters School at the Joint Staff College in Norfolk, VA prior to reporting to the Joint Staff. On the Joint Staff he served as an action officer assigned to the Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Policy Division within the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) as well as serving in the National Military Command Center (NMCC) as a Deputy Battle Captain. 

His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (third award), the Navy Achievement Medal (second award), and various unit and campaign decorations.