CDR Rob Clarkson

Executive Officer, USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114)

23 May 2024 A native of Pensacola, FL, Commander Clarkson is a Surface Warfare Officer who graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pre-Law and earned a Navy commission through OCS in 2007. 

Commander Clarkson completed his division officer tours in USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56) as the Main Propulsion Officer, Force Protection Officer, Electrical Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer during a single 35-month tour. He completed his department head tours aboard USS HOPPER (DDG 70) as the Operations Officer and Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN (CDS 15) as the Operations Officer (N3). Remaining in Japan, Commander Clarkson completed a 2-year tour as Surface Operations Officer for Carrier Strike Group FIVE (CCSG 5) / Task Force 70 (CTF 70).

Ashore, Commander Clarkson attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA where he earned a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security and Defense and completed JPME I. He then served as the IT Schoolhouse Department Head (N74) at the Center for Information Dominance UNIT, Corry Station, Pensacola, FL. Following his Department Head afloat tours, Commander Clarkson instructed prospective department heads at the Surface Warfare Officers School (N73) and then earned his second Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies while contributing to the Halsey ALFA wargaming group and completing JPME II at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

Commander Clarkson’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), as well as unit and service awards.