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Navy Commander Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

... for commanders. What to Expect High tempo, mission critical work supporting around the clock ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

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Showing results 1-20

Navy Commander information

See Rhode Island salary details

$35.3K

$58.7K

$95K

How much do navy commander jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for navy commander in Rhode Island is $58,659.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,000.00 and $66,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Navy commander?

Navy Commanders are senior officers in the naval branch of a country's armed forces, typically holding the rank of Commander, which is above Lieutenant Commander and below Captain. They are responsible for leading and managing a ship, submarine, or a specific department within a larger vessel or shore establishment. Commanders oversee operations, ensure the welfare and discipline of their crew, and make critical decisions during missions. Their role requires strong leadership, operational expertise, and the ability to handle complex situations at sea or onshore.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Navy commander?

To thrive as a Navy Commander, you need extensive leadership experience, strategic decision-making abilities, and a thorough knowledge of naval operations, typically gained through years of service and completion of advanced military education. Familiarity with naval command systems, operational planning software, and specialized certifications such as Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) are commonly required. Exceptional communication, resilience, and the ability to motivate and manage diverse teams are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial to ensure effective mission execution, personnel welfare, and operational readiness in complex and high-stakes environments.

What are some common challenges Navy commanders face when leading diverse teams aboard ship?

Navy Commanders often manage teams made up of individuals from varied backgrounds and specialties, which can present challenges in communication, maintaining unit cohesion, and ensuring that all voices are heard. Balancing operational demands with crew wellbeing, especially during long deployments, is another key challenge. Effective Commanders invest time in building trust, fostering open communication, and providing clear guidance to align the team's goals and maintain high morale under pressure.

What is the difference between Navy Commander vs Navy Captain?

AspectNavy CommanderNavy Captain
Rank LevelO-5 (equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel)O-6 (equivalent to Colonel)
ResponsibilitiesLeading a squadron or a group of ships/submarinesCommand of a large ship or a significant naval unit
Required CredentialsMilitary commission, leadership experienceMilitary commission, extensive leadership experience
Work EnvironmentNaval ships, maritime operationsNaval ships, maritime operations

The main difference between a Navy Commander and a Navy Captain lies in their rank and scope of responsibility. A Navy Commander typically leads a squadron or a group of ships, while a Navy Captain commands a large ship or a major naval unit. Both roles require military commissions and leadership experience, but the Captain holds a higher rank and broader command responsibilities.

How hard is it to become a Navy Commander?

Becoming a Navy Commander requires progressing through multiple ranks, typically over 10-15 years, and demonstrating leadership, technical expertise, and successful completion of required training and education. Candidates must also meet physical fitness standards and pass various evaluations, including command and staff officer qualifications.

What does a Navy Commander do in the Navy?

A Navy Commander is a senior officer responsible for leading and managing naval units, overseeing operations, personnel, and strategic planning. They coordinate missions, ensure safety and discipline, and often have specialized training in navigation, combat, or engineering. Commanders typically hold leadership roles in ships, submarines, or shore-based facilities and require a strong understanding of military protocols and leadership skills.

What are popular job titles related to Navy Commander jobs in Rhode Island?

For Navy Commander jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Navy Commander jobs in Rhode Island look for?

The top searched job categories for Navy Commander jobs in Rhode Island are:

Infographic showing various Navy Commander job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $58,659 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR WAR GAMING DEPARTMENT CENTER

US Department of the Navy

Newport, RI

$113K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 380 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
Qualifications:AD-1701-03/05/07
U.S. Naval War College. The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) is a Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) institution serving the nation, the Department of War (DoW), and the U.S. Navy. U.S. and selected international graduates earn Master of Arts degrees in National Security & Strategic Studies or Defense & Strategic Studies accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The College educates and develops future leaders through the development of strategic perspective, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, as well as enhancing the capability to advise and eventually serve as senior leaders and policy makers. The College also helps to define the future Navy and its roles and missions; supports combat readiness; strengthens global maritime partnerships; and promotes ethics and leadership throughout the force. We are actively seeking candidates with varied academic and professional backgrounds. More information on the college can be found at www.usnwc.edu.
War Gaming Department. The War Gaming Department (WGD) conducts research, analysis and gaming to support the requirements of the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), the combatant commanders, the Navy component commanders, the Navy numbered fleet commanders, other Navy and Marine Corps commanders, the U.S. intelligence community and other departments and agencies of the U.S. Government. The desired effect is a program of focused, forward-thinking, timely and relevant research, analysis and gaming that anticipates future operational and strategic challenges; develops and assesses strategic and operational concepts to address those challenges; and assesses the risk associated with these concepts. You can learn more about the WGD at our webpage: https://usnwc.edu/Research-andWargaming/Wargaming.
Responsibilities. Specific responsibilities include: working in teams; developing research, analysis, gaming and analytic reporting to assess challenges with respect to the Navy and the Nation; helping to define future Navy challenges to support development of concepts of operations and innovation; and supporting senior decision-makers on a wide range of operational and strategic challenges.
Qualifications and Competencies. A master's degree from an accredited university is required. While degrees in security studies or social sciences are traditional, candidates with advanced degrees in STEM fields (e.g., engineering, mathematics, computer science, or physical sciences) or other highly analytical disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply. A Ph.D. in an analytical or research-oriented field is preferred.
Significant experience in designing, executing, and reporting on complex research or analytical projects is required; experience on security or defense-related issues is preferred but not mandatory if the methodological experience is robust. Experience working within interdisciplinary research teams, specifically in wargaming, experimentation, modeling and simulation, or systems analysis, is highly preferred.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to analyze armed conflict, possess a working knowledge of U.S. and international military capabilities, and understand evolving concepts of joint military operations. Furthermore, candidates should possess a high level of proficiency in advanced research and analytical methodologies, such as:
  • Operations Research and Decision Analysis
  • Data Science, Statistics, and Computational Modeling
  • Field Experimentation and Game Design
  • Mixed-methods research and Systems Thinking

Candidates must be U.S. citizens capable of obtaining a DoW security clearance at the TOP SECRET/SCI level. The selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment drug screening test and random drug testing thereafter.Education:Employment Type: OTHER

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Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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