MC2 (SW/AW) Jonathan Clay, USN
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Clay, a native of Austin, Texas, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 2015.
Following completion of Navy basic training at RTC Great Lakes, Illinois, he reported to the Defense Information School at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, where he completed the Basic Mass Communication Specialist Course, graduating first in his class.
In November 2016, he reported to Navy Public Affairs Support Element East (NPASE) in Norfolk, Virginia. While stationed at NPASE he deployed for two tours of duty at sea as an independent public affairs specialist aboard the dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) in 2017 and the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) in 2018. During deployments he provided media support and news activity for U.S. naval operations in the Indo-Pacific and Central Region.
In September 2020, he reported to Defense Media Activity (DMA), Headquarters, at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. He currently serves as a content developer for DMA Navy Production and All Hands Magazine, supporting fleet messaging and communication objectives for SECNAV, CNO, CNP and CHINFO.
Petty Officer Clay's visual-journalism awards include 2021 U.S. Navy Videographer of the Year, and Russel Egnor Navy Media Award for 2021 1st Place: Video Spot and 2018 1st Place: Video Short-form Production. He also received the Surface Navy Association’s Capt. Komorowski Photography Award: 2017 1st Place: Personal Interest and 2018 1st Place: Operations.
His work and covered stories have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, People Magazine, and on television's Today Show and Good Morning America.
His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).
