Mr. Luis Molina
Deputy Director, Strategic Capabilities Office, Office of the Secretary of War
Mr. Luis Molina is the Deputy Director of the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), whose mission is to identify, analyze and accelerate the development and transition of capabilities to counter strategic adversaries.
Prior to becoming Deputy Director of SCO, Mr. Molina served as the SCO Portfolio Leader for Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence. He first joined SCO in November 2017 when he was detailed from the Navy as a Program Manager to manage several advanced operational prototype development programs.
Prior to that, in 2013, he reported to the Office of Naval Research as the Military Deputy to the Sea Warfare and Weapons Department where he led a talented group of Science and Technology Program Managers developing advanced technologies for naval applications. He supported notable work in unmanned systems and advanced power and energy systems.
From 2008-2010 he served in the J51 directorate of Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command as a future operations Joint Planner specializing in counter proliferation and countering nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction
Commissioned in May 1993, he completed 25 years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force serving on six different submarines at all levels of command. Significant highlights of his tours at sea include: Combat Systems Officer on USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759) from 2000-2002, New Construction Engineer Officer for the commissioning and delivery of the USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) 2003-2005, Executive Officer KENTUCKY BLUE (SSBN 737) from 2007-2008 completing two strategic deterrent patrols, and Commanding Officer USS PASADENA (SSN 752) from 2011-2013 during an arduous shipyard availability.
Mr. Molina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, graduating with Distinction and while completing additional training to earn Joint Planner designation.
His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, six Navy Commendation Medals, six Navy Achievement Medals, and various other unit awards.
Prior to becoming Deputy Director of SCO, Mr. Molina served as the SCO Portfolio Leader for Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence. He first joined SCO in November 2017 when he was detailed from the Navy as a Program Manager to manage several advanced operational prototype development programs.
Prior to that, in 2013, he reported to the Office of Naval Research as the Military Deputy to the Sea Warfare and Weapons Department where he led a talented group of Science and Technology Program Managers developing advanced technologies for naval applications. He supported notable work in unmanned systems and advanced power and energy systems.
From 2008-2010 he served in the J51 directorate of Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command as a future operations Joint Planner specializing in counter proliferation and countering nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction
Commissioned in May 1993, he completed 25 years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force serving on six different submarines at all levels of command. Significant highlights of his tours at sea include: Combat Systems Officer on USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759) from 2000-2002, New Construction Engineer Officer for the commissioning and delivery of the USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) 2003-2005, Executive Officer KENTUCKY BLUE (SSBN 737) from 2007-2008 completing two strategic deterrent patrols, and Commanding Officer USS PASADENA (SSN 752) from 2011-2013 during an arduous shipyard availability.
Mr. Molina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, graduating with Distinction and while completing additional training to earn Joint Planner designation.
His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, six Navy Commendation Medals, six Navy Achievement Medals, and various other unit awards.