Success Story

Captain Jennifer Dago: A Life Shaped by the Sea

Captain Jennifer Dago has always felt at home on the water. As a child, she accompanied her father, a Filipino Merchant Marine Captain, on trips at sea, an experience that left a lasting impression. Nearly 20 years and 14 MSC vessels later, she now commands ships around the globe.

Jennifer's journey is defined not just by her love for the ocean but by her steady climb through the ranks. Since graduating from California State Maritime Academy, Jennifer’s hard work and determination has led her through a myriad of positions, eventually leading to captaining an MSC ship.

She is now nearing the end of a post as the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Exchange Officer in Portsmouth, England. This prestigious assignment leverages her deep MSC experience to lead and integrate with international maritime operations. In this role, she has worked alongside the RFA Headquarters staff in Naval Command Headquarters and supported other U.S. Naval Exchange Officers and visiting U.S. Naval Attaché Officers.

Starting her MSC career at just 22, Jennifer soon found that life at sea was more than just “unlimited views of the ocean, sun, moon, and stars.” It was a chance to grow, explore the world, and discover her true self.

“Joining my first ship felt like a rite of passage,” she recalls. “I had to become an effective leader quickly while setting a good example. I was working alongside seasoned crew members as a young officer and had to earn their respect.”

From the beginning of her career, Jennifer has always valued the power of teamwork and upholds that professional pillar to date. “We always work as a team,” she says. “A ship doesn’t run itself, and certainly not by one person. It’s a bonus when the crew truly enjoys the work, and everyone harmoniously works towards getting the job done and accomplishing mission tasking together.”

Jennifer has participated in countless meaningful missions, including a life-changing humanitarian effort as part of Pacific Partnership 2010, delivering aid to underserved communities.

“I felt honored and privileged to be part of the CIVMAR crew assisting in those efforts,” she says. Another unforgettable assignment was aboard the USS Lewis B. Puller, where she worked in a fast-paced, hybrid environment alongside Navy personnel and multinational teams.

“Serving aboard the Lewis B. Puller was the most challenging and rewarding experience of my career,” she says. “Your leadership abilities, ethics, morals and problem solving skills are all tested on this platform. I learned a lot and left a better person.”

The career growth, the compensation, and the unique global experiences are just some of the benefits Jennifer has found with MSC. She’s visited countless countries, immersing herself in cultures across the world. Her favorite destinations? Singapore and Thailand.

“Traveling the world brings awareness to global issues and introduces me to incredible cultures,” she says. “I love capturing these experiences through video, photos, and film. I feel immense gratitude when I reflect on my experiences through my own media.”

Now approaching two decades with MSC, Jennifer is not only honoring her father’s legacy but also building her own. From maritime graduate to Captain, her journey has shaped who she is. And she encourages others to pursue the same path.

Jennifer believes MSC offers more than a job. It offers rapid career progression, meaningful missions and challenging, once-in-a-lifetime, transformational experiences.