TW5 R.C. Leadership

Operational Support Officer

Cmdr. Joseph "Monkey" Tanner hails from Ocala, Florida. He commissioned on May 24, 2002 from the United States Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. After commissioning, he completed training at Training Squadron Three (VT-3) and Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen (HT-18), earning his "Wings of Gold" on October 24, 2003. Tanner completed training at Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Forty (HSL-40) and was assigned to the "Proud Warriors" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Forty Two (HSL-42).

While at HSL-42, Tanner served as aviation safety officer. He deployed with HSL-42 Detachment Nine onboard USS Simpson (FFG-56) for a NATO deployment and with HSL-42 Detachment One onboard USS Klakring (FFG-42) to South America in support of counter narco-terrorism operations.

In 2008, he executed an Individual Augmentee assignment on staff for the Office for the Administrative Review of Detention of Enemy Combatants (OARDEC) in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Washington, D.C. He then reported to the "Shooters" of VT-6 as a primary flight instructor. While at VT-6, he flew over 1000 instructional hours in the T-34C and served as assistant operations officer. Tanner served at DESRON 26 from November 2011 until November 2013 as operations officer and air operations officer. He then reported to the "Red Knights" of VT-3 for a second tour as a primary flight instructor. He flew over 1250 mishap-free flight hours in the T-6B Texan II. He served as reserve department head, safety officer, operations officer, and acting executive officer. During his combined time as a flight instructor, Tanner guided 32 student naval aviators through their initial flight training syllabus.

Tanner commanded Navy Operational Support Center Chattanooga, Tennessee, from May 2017 until June 2019. During his tenure, he ensured the effective mobilization of 26 sailors and enjoyed an incredible working relationship with the civilian and military community in Chattanooga. He reported to Training Wing Five as the training officer (N7) in July 2019 and assumed duties as the operational support officer in February 2021.

Tanner's military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various unit medals and awards.