Captain Joseph “Jopa” Parsons is a native of Dryden, New York. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May of 2002 with a B.S. degree in Political Science.
He was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in March of 2004 and upon completion of Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training, reported to the “Fighting Marlins” of Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO (VP-40) based in Whidbey Island, Washington in November of 2004. While in VP-40, he qualified as a Mission Commander, Instructor Tactical Coordinator, and Weapons Tactics Instructor, served in several billets including AW Division Officer and NFO Training Officer, and completed deployments to U.S. SEVENTH Fleet and U.S. FIFTH Fleet in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
In February of 2008, CAPT Parsons returned to the FRS to begin a tour with the “Pro’s Nest” of VP-30 as an Instructor NFO. He served as an FRS IUT Instructor Tactical Coordinator and as the ASW Weapons Officer at the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School. During this tour he also completed graduate studies and received a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy from Norwich University.
In August 2010, he reported to Special Projects Patrol Squadron ONE (VPU-1) where he served as a Special Projects Mission Commander and Instructor Sensor Coordinator.
CAPT Parsons returned to VP-40 in February of 2013 as a department head, deploying to U.S. FIFTH Fleet and U.S. SEVENTH Fleet and serving as the Tactics Officer, Training Officer, Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer.
In June 2016, he reported to Commander, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan, where he served as the Flag Secretary.
CAPT Parsons returned to VP-40 in May of 2019 where he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. During this tour, the Fighting Marlins were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations executed on a tri-site deployment spanning the U.S. FIFTH Fleet, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, and U.S. SEVENTH Fleet Areas of Operations.
In June 2021, CAPT Parsons reported to Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN/Commander, Task Force 74/Commander, Task Force 54 in Yokosuka Japan, where he served as the Maritime Operations Center Director and the Deputy Chief of Staff for Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare through July 2024.
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Strike Flight Air Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various other campaign and service awards.
Last Updated: 15 December 2024