Commander Joel “Waffles” Cincotta is a native of South Orange, New Jersey and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. He also attended the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), pursuing a Master of Science in Electrical Systems Engineering and earning additional graduate certificates in Cyber Engineering and Network Enginee¬ring. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in 2010 after completing flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, and with the “Roughnecks” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron SEVEN (VQ-7) at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

In 2010, Commander Cincotta began his operational flying¬ with the “Shadows” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR (VQ-4) at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. After completing his studies at NPS in 2015, he reported to PCU GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) in Newport News, Virginia, as an Assistant Air Operations Officer. While assigned to CVN 78, he volunteered for and participated in the 2016 Western Pacific deployment aboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74). Upon returning to CVN 78, he was selected as the Commissioning Officer-of-the-Deck, charged with “bringing the ship to life” during her 2017 commissioning.

In 2018, Commander Cincotta reported to Strategic Communications Wing ONE (SCW-1) as the Wing Safety Officer. He later transitioned to the SCW-1 Communications Department, where he served as the Cyber and IT Support Division Officer. In 2020, he reported to the “Shadows” of VQ-4 Detachment at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, as the Detachment Officer-in-Charge. In 2022, he was assigned to Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) Officer for Commander, Naval Forces Strategic Command. Selected for squadron command in March 2024, Commander Cincotta will assume duties as the TACAMO Weapons School Executive Officer in April 2025.

Commander Cincotta has amassed over 1,500 hours in the T-6 and E-6B aircraft. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and several other unit and personal awards.
 

Last Updated: 22 July 2025