Lt. Cmdr. James A. McDowell
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NAVAL INFORMATION WARFARE TRAINING GROUP (NIWTG) GULFPORT
14 June 2022
Lt. Cmdr. James McDowell graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Science, and received his commission in May 2008 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Lt. Cmdr. McDowell transferred to Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training Command followed by Naval Power Training Unit in Charleston, S.C., where he completed training and initial qualification as a nuclear Engineering Officer of the Watch in August 2009. In August 2015 he completed a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University, and in June 2019 he completed Joint Professional Military Education Level 1 (JPME 1) graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
In October 2009, then Ens. McDowell was assigned to the USS Providence (SSN 719) where he qualified as a Submarine Warfare Officer. As an Ensign, he served as Electrical Officer, Ship’s Diving Officer, and Assistant Weapons Officer, deploying twice to 5
th Fleet. During this time, he promoted to Lieutenant and completed Prospective Nuclear Engineer Officer school, and was designated as a Nuclear qualified Engineer Officer.
In 2012, Lt. McDowell transferred to the Texas Maritime Academy as Assistant Officer in Charge, responsible for the training and commissioning of a corps of more than 150 Midshipmen. During this time, Lt. McDowell re-designated as an Information Professional (IP) Officer.
In 2015, Lt. McDowell transferred to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the Information Systems Security Manager working for the Director, Navy Staff where he qualified as an Information Warfare Officer, completed the IP Basic and IP Intermediate qualifications, and earned the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
Lt. Cmdr. McDowell then transferred to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in June 2018, graduating in June of 2019. Lt. Cmdr. McDowell then assigned to USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) where he served as Combat Systems Information Officer, leading a team of 60 radio operators, network technicians and cybersecurity experts through the Maintenance, Basic, Integrated, and Advanced Phases of OFRP, culminating in a successful 5
th and 6
th Fleet deployment. In June of 2021 Lt. Cmdr. McDowell transferred to Information Warfare Training Group Gulfport as Executive Officer.
Lt. Cmdr. McDowell’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).