RDML Russel "Rusty" Dash

RDML Rusty Dash is the U.S. Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology (CG-6). In this capacity, he also serves as the Coast Guard’s Chief Information Officer.

RDML Dash was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and is a native of Yorktown, Virginia. He graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. Ensign Dash’s first assignment was as a Deck Watch Officer onboard the 270 foot Medium Endurance Cutter CAMPBELL (WMEC 909), in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

From 1996-1998, Lieutenant Junior Grade Dash was the Officer in Charge of Law Enforcement Detachment Five Charlie, part of the Tactical Law Enforcement Team North located in Portsmouth, Virginia. During that time, LEDET 5C was deployed onboard U.S. Navy warships to conduct counter-drug operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Oceans, and United Nations sanctions enforcement in the Arabian Gulf.

He reported to the Law Enforcement section of the Atlantic Area and Fifth District staff in 1998, where he planned District-wide law enforcement operations. Lieutenant Dash returned to sea duty in 2001 onboard the 270 foot Medium Endurance Cutter NORTHLAND (WMEC 904), in Portsmouth, Virginia, and he served as the Operations Officer and Navigator. He was subsequently assigned as Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter Washington (WPB 1331), a 110 foot patrol boat in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2003. Patrolling paradise is arduous duty, but someone has to do it. This was his last afloat assignment.

From 2005-2007 Lieutenant Commander Dash attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he earned his Master of Science Degree (with Distinction) in Information Systems Technology and won the RADM Grace Murray Hopper Award for outstanding academics and leadership. Following graduate school, he was assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters in the Office of C4 & Sensors Capabilities (CG-761). In 2011 Commander Dash transferred to the Atlantic Area staff and served as the Deputy Division Chief of LANT-6. From 2012-2013 he was assigned to the Department of Homeland Security as a Program Manager in the Office of Applied Technology in Washington, D.C.

He returned to the Coast Guard in 2013 and was assigned as Executive Officer at the Command, Control, and Communications Engineering Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. From 2016-2017 Captain Dash attended the National Defense University where he earned a Master of Science degree (Distinguished Graduate) in Government Information Leadership with concentrations in Cyberspace Strategy and Cybersecurity Leadership. After graduating from NDU he reported to CG-6 and became the first Chief of the Office of C5I Program Management (CG-68) in 2018. He assumed command of the C4IT Service Center in May 2019, and became the first C5I Service Center Commanding Officer in June 2020. He transferred to the Personnel Service Center as Deputy in May 2022 and then “fleeted up” to be the PSC Commander from May 2023 to June 2024.

Rear Admiral Dash’s awards include the 2018 CDR John P. Dailey Award for Outstanding Leadership and Mentorship within the Coast Guard C4IT Community, the Legion of Merit (2x), Meritorious Service Medal (4x), as well as other personal, unit, and service awards.

He and his wife Danielle are the proud parents of three adult sons. They are also proud part-owners of the Green Bay Packers, winners of 13 professional football championships.