CDR Benjamin Jones

Commanding Officer, USS Helena (SSN 725)

CDR Jones grew up in mid Missouri. After graduating from Knob Noster High School in 2001, he went to the University of Missouri - Columbia where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 2005. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he went to Officer Candidate School receiving his commission in the fall of 2006. In 2014, CDR Jones completed his Masters in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.

After completion of power school and prototype, CDR Jones reported to his first sea tour on the USS HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN 730). While onboard he served as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant (CRA) and the Damage Control Assistant (DCA). After his initial junior officer tour, he proceeded to PCU CALIFORNIA (SSN 781) where he served as the Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA) and the Assistant Operations Officer (AOPS). CDR Jones took the CALIFORNIA to sea as the first Officer of the Deck and completed initial new construction trials and testing. From 2015 to 2018, he served as the Navigation and Operations Officer on USS BOISE (SSN 764) where he completed three Submarine Command Courses. CDR then went on to serve as the Executive Officer onboard USS MICHIGAN (SSGN 727) (GOLD) from 2020 to 2022.

On shore, he worked as a project management officer at the Research and Development Support Activity (RDSA). Following his department head tour, CDR Jones served as an exchange officer with the Royal Navy’s SUBOPAUTH, CTF 311, where he supported numerous operations and exercises in the EUCOM AOR from 2018 to 2020. He then served as the deputy for operations for Carrier Stroke Group Three where he completed a Western Pacific deployment onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. CDR Jones’s last shore assignment was at Submarine Squadron Eleven (CSS-11) in San Diego where he served as the Deputy for Readiness.