Captain Jeffrey T. Jablon
Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 5

Captain Jablon, a native of Frostburg, Maryland, graduated with distinction from Virginia Tech in 1987 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program.  During his career, he also earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with honors from James Madison University and has been designated as a Joint Qualified Officer.

After completing nuclear power training and the Submarine Officer Basic Course in July 1989, Captain Jablon reported to USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686) and served as the Main Propulsion Assistant, Damage Control Assistant and Quality Assurance Officer.  During his tour, MENDEL RIVERS completed a Northern Atlantic deployment and underwent a refueling overhaul.  From October 1995 to December 1998, Captain Jablon served as Navigator and Operations Officer onboard USS OLYMPIA (SSN 717).  During his tour, OLYMPIA completed a Western Pacific deployment with the USS NIMITZ Battlegroup and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation.  In March 2001, Captain Jablon reported as Executive Officer onboard USS KEY WEST (SSN 722) and completed a Western Pacific deployment conducting combat operations as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  KEY WEST was awarded the Battle Efficiency “E” award and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

From November 2005 to February 2008, Captain Jablon served as Commanding Officer of USS PHILADELPHIA (SSN 690).  During his tour, the boat completed the first-ever Pre-inactivation Restricted Availability (PIRA) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, conducted a CENTCOM deployment as part of the USS ENTERPRISE Strikegroup, and was awarded the 2007 Battle Efficiency “E” award.  In addition, Captain Jablon was chosen as the 2007 Naval Submarine League Jack N. Darby awardee for Inspirational Leadership and Excellence of Command.

Captain Jablon has served ashore as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science at ROTC Unit, University of Virginia, the Special Projects Officer on the staff of Commander Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet, the Naval Warfare Submarine Strategist at the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) War on Terrorism Global Strategy Division, the COMSUBDEVRON TWELVE Deputy Commander for Training, and as the NAVSUBSCOL Prospective Commanding Officer Instructor.

Captain Jablon’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).