Dr. Tommy Jamison is a military historian and Asst. Professor of Strategic Studies in the Defense Analysis Dept., Naval Postgraduate School. His work explores the history of naval development and conflict in the Pacific, with an emphasis on technological shifts and institutional adaptation. He holds a Ph.D. (2020) and MA (2017) in International History from Harvard University, a BA in History from Grinnell College (2009) as well as language certificates from the Beijing Language and Culture University. His work has been published by the Journal of Military History and Intelligence and National Security. In 2020, Dr. Jamison completed his dissertation "Pacific Wars: Peripheral Conflict and the Making of the New Navy, 1865-1897," with support from the H.F. Guggenheim Foundation. Before arriving at NPS, Dr. Jamison enjoyed a year-long predoctoral fellowship at the Clements Center for National Security, University of Texas at Austin. From 2012-2014, Dr. Jamison worked as a Defense Intelligence Agency Staff Officer in both the Western Pacific and Afghanistan. Between 2009-2012 he served as the Intelligence Officer in a Japan-based Navy F/A-18F squadron. He currently lives in Monterey, CA with his wife and their springer spaniel.
NPS Experience
2020 - current: Assistant Professor
Research Interests
History of War; Maritime History; Pacific; East Asia; Technology
Teaching Interests
History of Special Operations; Militaries and Technological Change; Irregular War in East Asia