A Change of Command Ceremony, an honored product of the rich heritage of naval tradition, took place onboard U.S.S. Independence (LCS 2), on October 1, when Commander Matthew J. Jerbi assumed command of the U.S.S. Independence - Blue Crew, at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL.

Commander Matthew J. Jerbi is a native of Gardner and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science.

After completing Surface Warfare Officers School Division Officer Course, his first assignment was on the U.S.S. Vincennes (CG 49), where he served as Main Propulsion Division Officer. During this tour the Vincennes executed Counter Narcotics Operations, multiple bilateral exercises and its homeport shifted from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan.

CDR Jerbi’s next assignment was on U.S.S. O’Brien (DD 975). While serving as the Navigator and Training Officer, Cdr. Jerbi completed a Middle East Forces deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch in the Arabian Gulf and multiple Forward Deployed Naval Forces operations and exercises.

In January 2000, CDR Jerbi enrolled in the Naval Postgraduate School and earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security Affairs (Western Hemisphere Studies) and completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase 1.

After completing Department Head School in 2002, he transferred to Pre-Commissioning Unit MUSTIN (DDG 89) as the Operations Officer, serving through MUSTIN’s commissioning until June 2004 and participating in Summer Pulse 2004 and Unitas multi-nation exercises.

He next served as operations Officer in U.S.S. Normandy (CG 60) until January 2006, completing a CENTCOM deployment with KEARSARGE Expeditionary Strike Group including operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Northern Arabian Gulf.

CDR Jerbi’s previous sea tour was as a Flag Secretary/ N1 on the Carrier Strike Group TEN staff embarked on U.S.S. George Washington (CVN 73) for Partnership of the Americas 2006, and on U.S.S. Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for Strike Group Unit level and integrated training. He was last stationed at Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, RI, as a Maritime Warfare Instructor from 2007 through 2009. CDR Jerbi’s awards include the Meritori- ous Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Commander Matthew Jerbi is the son of Dan and Evelyn Jerbi of Gardner. He and his wife Kerenza have two daughters, Isabella and Natasha.