CDR Timothy M. Harper Jr.

Past Chief Staff Officer, Amphibious Squadron FIVE (PHIBRON 5)

02 May 2025 Commander Harper is a native of Lebanon, Ohio and enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001. Following completion of Nuclear Field 'A' School, he was advanced to Electronics Technician Third Class and accepted into the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Harper went on to attend the United States Naval Academy where he earned his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering in 2007.

Following graduation, he reported to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Makin Island (LHD 8) as the Main Propulsion Division Officer before being temporarily assigned duty aboard USS Gridley (DDG 101). While serving as the Electrical Officer in Gridley, he completed a six month deployment to the Western Pacific and Gulf of Aden. Harper reported back aboard PCU Makin Island in Mississippi where he served as the Assistant Weapons Officer while the ship sailed around South America to commission in San Diego, California.

Departing in 2009 as a plank owner, Harper reported to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One for training and education prior to his next assignment as Main Propulsion Assistant with Blue Crew aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1). During his time there, he led Freedom through extensive post-delivery testing and trials and a post-shakedown availability. He then served as the Executive Officer of the Navy Operational Support Center in Pearl Harbor from 2012 through 2015.

Harper’s next assignment was aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) where he served as Training Officer until 2017. Coming full circle, he reported back aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8) as her First Lieutenant. He also augmented Amphibious Squadron Eleven in Sasebo, Japan while completing a patrol aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) and USS Green Bay (LPD 23) in the Sea Combat Commander role.

In January of 2020, he reported aboard U.S. Seventh Fleet where he served as the lead for Japan plans and exercises. While underway in USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), he qualified for command at sea. Following completion of his Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College in 2023, Commander Harper reported aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) as Operations Officer. He is now serving as the Chief Staff Officer of Amphibious Squadron Five.

Commander Harper's military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation (3) and Achievement (4) Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Battle 'E' Ribbons, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Armed Forces and Humanitarian Service Medals, Sea Service Deployment (3) and Overseas Service (2) Ribbons, and the Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals.