Rear Admiral Jason Tama assumed the duties as Commander, Coast Guard Cyber Command in May 2024. He is responsible for conducting full-spectrum cyberspace operations in support of National, Department of Homeland Security, Department of War, and Coast Guard mission objectives. Leveraging the Coast Guard’s unique authorities, he oversees cyberspace maneuvering forces that defend Coast Guard networks, protect the Nation’s maritime critical infrastructure, and counter adversary activity in cyberspace. He is the Coast Guard’s Service Cyber Component Commander to U. S. Cyber Command and also chairs the multi-lateral International Partnership for Maritime Cyber Security.
Rear Admiral Tama was previously assigned as the Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff to the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard. He also served as the Senior Director for Resilience at the National Security Council (NSC), where he oversaw national policy for critical infrastructure protection and resilience, as well as homeland preparedness and incident response. During his time at the NSC, he helped lead the homeland response to multiple national crises including cyber-attacks, supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and nation-state security threats.
Rear Admiral Tama also commanded Coast Guard Sector New York and was the Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, where he led one of the Coast Guard’s largest operational commands, and ensured the security and resilience of the busiest port complex on the East Coast. Other operational, staff, and special assignments include Deputy Chief of the Coast Guard Office of Budget and Programs; Chief of the Prevention Department at Sector San Francisco; Budget Coordinator in the Office of Budget and Programs; Chief of Waterways Management at Sector Puget Sound; Marine Inspector at Marine Safety Office Puget Sound; Naval Architect and Marine Salvage Engineer at the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center; and Operations and Law Enforcement Officer on the Coast Guard Cutter MARIPOSA (WLB-397).
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with high honors from the United States Coast Guard Academy; a Master of Engineering in Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley; and a Master of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management. He is an MIT Sloan Fellow, Brookings Institution Federal Executive Fellow, Marshall Memorial Fellow, and White House Fellows National Finalist. RDML Tama also published extensive research on ways to improve the Joint Force’s adoption and integration of emerging commercial technologies.
Individual military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medals (three awards), and other personal and unit awards. Rear Admiral Tama is also an Honorary Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, an Honorary FDNY Battalion Chief, a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and an Eagle Scout.