Lieutenant Commander Jerry Deren, from Harlan, Iowa, graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1988 where he played varsity football, basketball and golf and served as the student body president. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated with merit in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.

Jerry reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in September 1992. He completed primary flight training at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and transferred to NAS Kingsville, Texas, for intermediate and advanced flight training. He received his wings of gold in June 1995.

From Kingsville, Jerry reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA 106) at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, for training in the F/A-18 Hornet. In September 1996 he reported to the VFA 83 "Rampagers," where he completed deployments aboard the aircraft carriers USS Enterprises (CVN 65) and USS Eisenhower (CVN 69). While with the "Rampagers," Jerry served as the schedules officer, line division officer, command security manager, air-to-ground training officer, air-to-air training officer, squadron training officer and landing signals officer. His two deployments included extended operations in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, in the Adriatic Sea in support of Operation Deliberate Forge and in the Mediterranean Sea where he participated in numerous international exercises with French, British, German, Italian, Dutch and Egyptian naval and air forces.

In December 1999, Jerry transferred to the VFA 125 "Rough Raiders" where he served as an F/A-18 instructor pilot, landing signals officer and ground safety officer. Jerry was assigned as the Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Chief of Naval Air Training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, in October 2000. In addition to his aide duties, he served as a T-45C NATOPS instructor and flight instructor for the advanced jet training squadrons at NAS Kingsville.

Jerry joined the Blue Angels in September 2001. He has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours and 273 carrier landings. His personal awards include the Air Medal (First Strike/Flight Award), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Battle Efficiency Award and various personal and unit awards.