Developing leaders, strengthening readiness at the 2026 Junior Officers’ Symposium

by Lt.j.g. Rachael Jones

28 August 2026
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) hosted the 2026 Junior Officers’ Symposium (JOS) aboard Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 26, bringing junior and senior leaders together for warfighter development and to build synergy and cohesion among the Surface Force.

Under the theme “Dominating the Next 250 Years,” the one-day symposium’s agenda focused on a variety of topics designed to further develop the Surface Force and prepare junior officers to lead resilient combat-ready teams. This included interactive sessions that examined how reports and survey feedback drive type commander decisions and policy—reinforcing the importance of junior officer leadership and how their experiences at sea become enterprise action.

Attendees also explored how cutting-edge technologies—including artificial intelligence, industry partnerships, Task Force Hopper and digital talent—support the modern warfighter by helping leaders understand problems, make decisions and adapt more quickly. Leadership-development sessions covering the Leadership Assessment Program–Surface, the Warfare Tactics Instructor program and opportunities at the Naval Postgraduate School connected individual development to the Force’s need for leaders with tactical proficiency and the confidence to execute commander’s intent.

Junior officers received briefings on unmanned operations, early command opportunities and the surface warfare officer (SWO) detailing process. Together, those sessions connected individual career decisions and emerging capabilities to the Surface Force’s long-term ability to retain experienced leaders and integrate new ways of fighting.

A “Real Talk” session with SWO detailers gave attendees an opportunity to ask direct questions about career paths, assignments and community policy. Surface Navy Night Court provided another forum for candid discussion about the challenges and future of the community. That candor supports resilience across the Surface Force by strengthening trust, addressing uncertainty and giving officers practical information to make informed career and leadership decisions.

Junior officers were also able to ask questions to a panel focused on combat operations in U.S. 5th Fleet featuring junior officers from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91). The panelists turned their experience into repeatable training and tactics that will aid the entire Surface Force to become more lethal warfighters.

One panelist, in sharing their experience, talked about the cohesion of the team when tracking ballistic missiles. “Everybody set general quarters and took their stations in combat—we were fully manned. Pinckney performed when it was time. We were cool, calm, professional and we locked in.”

Throughout the symposium, speakers reinforced the immense impact that today’s junior officers are having in strengthening and sustaining the Surface Force of the future. CNSP ensures fleet commanders are provided with personnel, material and training required to project credible naval power at sea, ashore, at home and abroad.

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