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Navy Commander Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager - US Navy

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$183K - $250K/yr

The position will focus primarily on Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Washington regions, requiring a strong understanding of Navy priorities ...

Program Manager - US Navy

Chantilly, VA ยท Hybrid

$183K - $250K/yr

The position will focus primarily on Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Washington regions, requiring a strong understanding of Navy priorities ...

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Navy Commander information

See Virginia salary details

$35.7K

$59.4K

$96.2K

How much do navy commander jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for navy commander in Virginia is $59,385.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,600.00 and $66,900.00 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 Virginia?

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

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

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

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Navy Commander jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Navy Commander job openings:

Infographic showing various Navy Commander job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,385 per year, or $28.6 per hour.

Information Warfare IW Command and Control Training Specialist

Core Services Group

Virginia Beach, VA โ€ข On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Core Services Group, Inc. is seeking a Journeyman-Level professional to support the Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC). This position provides Fleet Advanced Tactics Training support for the United States Navy’s Information Warfare (IW) community to improve fleet lethality, tactical proficiency, and warfighting readiness. 
The ideal candidate has deep experience with Navy Command and Control (C2) systems, tactical operations, and training, plus strong information technology (IT) fluency translating operational requirements into training products that reflect network operations, tactical networks, and secure communications in contested environments. Seeking candidates with former Information Systems Technician (IT) community (1827/7821) leadership, operations experience and or alignment with the Navy Information Professional (IP) community (1820/1825), supporting resilient C2 and cyber defense readiness.
Key Responsibilities:  
● Assist in the development, validation, standardization, and revision of C2 concept of operations (CONOPS), doctrine, and TTP (tactics, techniques, and procedures)  
● Provide C2 advanced training at the individual, unit, group, integrated, and joint levels  
● Support the assessment of C2 training effectiveness to address capability and capacity gaps, and provide recommendations for systems, training, and process improvement  
● Prepare briefings, POA&Ms, white papers, and other documents required to support NIWDC.
Required Qualifications  
● Possess a minimum of ten (10) years of experience within the Fleet/Navy C2 mission area, with a strong preference for candidates who have actively worked in the domain within the last five (5) years  
Preferred Qualifications  
● Recent (within 5 years) Fleet experience supporting C2 systems, IT/network operations, cybersecurity/cyber defense, COMSEC/secure communications, and IW training execution  
● Navy Information Professional (IP) experience or close operational alignment (Designator 1820/1825)
● Navy Information Systems Technician (IT) experience or close operational alignment (Designator 1827/7821)
Location:  
● Norfolk, Virginia  
Security Clearance:  
● Possess current security clearance eligibility of TS//SCI