TW1 R.C. Leadership

Operational Support Officer (OSO)

Lt. Cmdr. J.H. "Slapshot" Dennis is a native of Lancaster, California, and attended the University of California San Diego where he received a Bachelor of Arts in cognitive science. He commissioned as an ensign from Officer Candidate School in December 2007. Dennis was designated a naval aviator in January 2010 from the "Tigers" of Training Squadron 9 at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi.

After completing fleet replacement pilot training in the F/A-18F Super Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Dennis reported to the "Swordsmen" of VFA-32 in April 2011. He deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 72) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While with the Swordsmen, he served as AV/ARM division officer, NATOPS officer and landing signal officer.

In June 2014, Dennis reported to the "Redhawks" of VT-21 at NAS Kingsville, Texas, as an instructor in the T-45C Goshawk. While en-route to NAS Kingsville, Dennis attended and graduated from the Naval School of Aviation Safety, allowing him to serve with VT-21 as the aviation safety officer, NATOPS officer, ACM/OCF/TACFORM CNATRA stage manager, and a Flight Instructor Training Unit pilot. Dennis transitioned from active duty joining the U.S. Naval Reserve with VT-21 in January 2018, while beginning a position with American Airlines.

In January 2021, Dennis reported to Training Air Wing 1 in Meridian to fill the role of operational support officer and as an instructor pilot in the T-45C Goshawk.

Dennis has flown over 2,300 hours in naval aircraft with more than 220 carrier-arrested landings and over 5,000 hours of total flight time. Personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and other service and unit awards.