Captain Jalen A. Wade is in his second year as Director of Player Development. Upon receiving orders back to the Naval Academy in June of 2021, Captain Wade assumed the responsibilities of the 10th Company Officer, ensuring the discipline, development, and mentorship of 150 Midshipmen across all four grades. He occupied this role until assuming his current duties with the team.
   A native of Spring Hill, Tenn., Wade lettered in football and track before being recruited to play at Navy. Over the course of his career, he spent time as both an inside linebacker and fullback.
    In May 2017, upon his graduation from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor’s of Science in international relations, he accepted a commission into the United States Marine Corps. After successful completion of The Basic School, he was assigned the military occupational specialty of Infantry Officer, and attended the 2-18 Infantry Officer Course. Upon graduation, Captain Wade began serving as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
   After several months, Captain Wade assumed command of Weapons Platoon and the company Fire Support Team (FiST) for Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Captain Wade executed multiple division and service level exercises in this role. Upon completion of  the pre-deployment training plan, Captain Wade deployed with Battalion Landing Team 1/5 as the Ground Combat Element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in November 2019. While deployed on the 31st MEU, Captain Wade executed numerous Air Assault Raids and certification exercises aboard the USS AMERICA. On the 31st MEU, Captain Wade also participated in Exercise COBRA GOLD in the Kingdom of Thailand; the largest theater security cooperation exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region. During Cobra Gold, Captain Wade integrated with the Royal Thai Army and U.S. Army in support of regional cooperation objectives.
   Upon returning from deployment in June 2020, Captain Wade served as the 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander for 1st Battalion, 5th Marines during their service as southwest border security augmentation and pre-deployment workup for the 31st MEU. In February 2021, Captain Wade assumed duties as the Executive Officer for Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. He participated in a final service level training exercise before reporting to the Naval Academy in June of 2021.
    Captain Wade was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his efforts serving with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines as well as various unit awards. He currently resides in Washington D.C.
Â
