Commander Jason Cupples
Commander Jason J. Cupples, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Midshipman in 1985. Having successfully completed training at the Royal Australian Naval College he proceeded to sea. His early training included service in HMA Ships Wollongong (II), Cessnock (II) and Gladstone gaining a Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in Patrol Boats as a Midshipman in 1987. Cupples joined HMAS Hobart (II) in 1988 and, having gained his full Bridge watchkeeping qualification, joined HMAS Derwent as an Officer of the Watch in 1989.
Commander Cupples commenced his submarine training in 1989, and qualified in HMAS Otway in 1990. Following continued service in and a brief posting in Submarine Operations he joined HMAS Ovens as Weapons Officer in 1991. Having successfully completed the intermediate navigation Course in 1992 he was selected as Navigator of the first of the Collins Class submarines nearing completion of build in Adelaide in 1993. He navigated HMAS Collins throughout her post build program (1993-95) and on completion of the Submarine Warfare Officers Course returned as Operations Officer (1996-97). CMDR Cupples served as Executive Officer HMAS Collins (1997-2000), during which time she was restored to full operational status after an extended period out of service.
Commander Cupples successfully completed the Royal Netherlands Navy Submarine Command Course (Perisher) in 2001 prior to joining the Submarine Training and Systems Centre HMAS Stirling as Deputy Head of Submarine Warfare Training. Commander Cupples was posted in Command of HMAS Waller from May 2002 to Dec 2003. Following Command, CMDR Cupples served as the Commander Submarine Sea Training Group from Jan 2004 to May 2006. This posting was followed by a 2 year posting to the United States as the Operational Requirements Development Manager for the Submarine Replacement Combat System and Heavy weight Torpedo Projects at the Naval Undersea Warfare centre in Newport Rhode Island. Commander Cupples was posted in Command of HMAS Dechaineux from December 2009 to March 2012. Commander Cupples assumed Command of HMAS Collins on 3 April 2012.
Commander Cupples lives in Baldivis Western Australia with his wife, Tanya and their two sons Aaron and Thomas. His interests include most sports, fishing, camping and travelling.
