Capt. Jason Pettitt, a Norfolk, Virginia, native, received his bachelor’s in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2004. After graduation, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School and received his master’s in mechanical engineering in 2005.

In 2007, Pettitt earned his Wings of Gold in and reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 40 for SH-60B Seahawk training. During his first operational tour with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37 “Easyriders” at Marine Corps Air Station, Hawaii, he served as the line division, assistant maintenance, assistant operations, and Schedules Officer, deploying on USS Chosin (CG 65) with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, and serving on the Combined Task Force 151 Counter-Piracy Operations Flag Ship.

In 2012, Pettitt reported to Commander, Operational Test & Evaluation Force in Norfolk and served as an operational test director in the Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence Division.

He was redesignated as an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) in February 2014 and reported to Multi- Mission Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems Program Office (PMA-266). There he served as the Ship Integration deputy program manager and led a military and civilian team in the development, production, installation, integration and sustainment of the MQ-8 Fire Scout Mission Control System and Tactical Control System.

Pettitt assumed the duties of AEDO community manager in November 2016 and was responsible for the community and career management of over 300 officers, including end strength, promotions, accessions and retirements.

In December 2018, he reported to the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office (PMA-268) and served as the military class desk, leading a military and civilian team in the development, design, production, integration and support of the ACAT IB MQ-25 Air System and ACAT II Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System programs.

Pettitt reported to Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Program Office (PMA/PMW-101) as the Force Modernization principal assistant program manager and MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System principal assistant program manager in June 2021. He was most recently assigned to Naval Information Warfare Systems Command as the Project Overmatch advanced capabilities lead from June 2023 until April 2025.

Pettitt has accumulated 815 flight hours in the T-34C, TH-57 and SH-60B, and is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. He is certified in Program Management (Advanced), Engineering & Technology Management (Practitioner) and Test & Evaluation (Practitioner). His personal awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.