Robert D. Jenkins III

Robert “Ron” D. Jenkins III is a private aerospace consultant in Arizona. He is a 1974 graduate from the University of South Alabama and was awarded a master’s degree in National Security Affairs/Naval Technical Intelligence from the Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, Calif. He is a distinguished graduate of both the U.S. Naval War College and the Armed Forces Staff College. Jenkins is a proven specialist in strategic planning, technical intelligence, electronic warfare, air defense and strike warfare planning.

A retired executive of the Raytheon Company, Jenkins joined Raytheon in 2003 and served as the first Director of the CVN 21 (21st Century Aircraft Carrier-USS Gerald R. Ford) program for Raytheon Integrated Systems Defense Systems. Moving to Raytheon Missile Systems in 2006, he was the business development executive for the Naval Weapon System/Naval and Area Mission Defense product line. Most recently he was the Director of the Precision Stand Off Strike Mission area in Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz.

Jenkins was a career U.S. Navy surface warfare officer, rising to the rank of captain. He commanded the Guided Missile Frigate USS McInerney (FFG-8) during Operations Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Aegis Guided Missile Cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) where he led combat strike operations during Operation Allied Force and NATO Operation Sharp Guard, earning a Bronze Star medal. He also served as the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Theater Combat Systems) and received the U.S. Navy’s top two awards for leadership: the VADM James B. Stockdale and U.S. Navy League John Paul Jones Inspirational Leadership awards.

In 2007, Jenkins received the USA National Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award. He is a life member of USA National Alumni Association, where he served as board director. He is also a member of the National Surface Navy Association Executive Committee, a trustee emeritus on the U.S. Naval War College Foundation, and a life member of the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation and the National Naval Officers Association.