New York Council Navy League presents the next installment in our 2020 series of national security briefings as we welcome RDML John A. Okon, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy. Due to COVID-19 precautions, we will be hosting this event online. Members and friends are invited to register here for this free event.
As Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and Oceanographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral Okon leads a community of 2,500+ uniformed and civilian professionals deployed around the globe in the application of knowledge of physical environment to warfare, from the bottom of the ocean to the stars, to ensure that the U.S. Navy has the freedom of action to deter aggression, maintain freedom of the seas, and win wars. As the Navy’s leader in unmanned underwater systems, they have operated Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) for more than two decades — collecting physical oceanography and surveying 58,000+ miles of ocean, enough to circle the Earth twice. Rear Admiral Okon is excited to share with the New York Council Navy League how Naval Oceanography effectively and efficiently conducts their mission through the use of unmanned technology and their initiatives to rapidly integrate innovative approaches from industry and academia into their operations.
About our speaker: Rear Admiral John A. Okon grew up in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Oceanography. He holds master’s degrees in meteorology and physical oceanography from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, and in national security studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Upon commissioning, he initially served as a surface warfare officer and transferred to naval oceanography in 1995. He now serves as a member of the Navy’s Information Warfare Community.
At sea, Okon served aboard USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) as first lieutenant, administrative officer and navigator and aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as meteorologist and oceanographer.
Ashore, he served as optimum track ship router at the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center; aide to commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; operations officer and executive assistant to the deputy director for regional operations, Joint Staff; senior oceanography assignment and placement officer, Navy Personnel Command; and executive assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare and director of naval intelligence.
RDML Okon commanded Naval Oceanography Antisubmarine Warfare Center in Yokosuka, Japan, and Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Monterey. Personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and various personal, campaign and service awards. He is currently the 11th Commander of Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and 23rd Oceanographer of the Navy. He is married to Valerie Gessner Okon and they reside in Pass Christian, Mississippi.