Capt. Dana J. Chapin is a native of the Missouri Ozarks. She was commissioned in 2001 through the U.S. Naval Academy after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. In October 2001, she began flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, before earning her wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in March 2003. 

Capt. Chapin’s first operational tour saw her report to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Seven (HS) 7 in December 2003, deploying with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She completed multiple deployments with carrier detachments as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander, including the “Partnership of the Americas” deployment aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of U.S. Southern Command. Additional operational tours include Hurricane Katrina relief efforts with HS-7, deploying as an individual augmentee as the watch supervisor to the Joint Personnel Recovery Center for the Combined Air and Space Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. She also coordinated numerous Combat Search and Rescue operations and medical evacuations for both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Ashore, Capt. Chapin served as a team leader for Individual Augmentation and Global War on Terrorism Support Assignments at Navy Personnel Command (NPC). Following her NPC tour, she was selected for re-designation into the Navy Human Resources community via lateral transfer board in 2010. Additional shore assignments include flag aide to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; officer in charge at Personnel Support Detachment, Naval Base San Diego; Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Officer at Naval Facilities Engineering Command; commanding officer of the Navy Element and division chief for joint assignments at U.S. Strategic Command, Offut Air Force Base, Nebraska; deputy director, Restricted Line/Staff Corps Officer and Career Management Division; assistant chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet, Bahrain; director of the Human Resources Service Center at MyNavy Career Center; before reporting as the executive assistant to Commander, NPC. 

Capt. Chapin reported to the Center for Service Support as commanding officer in September 2025.

Her personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards.

Last Updated: 24 September 2025