Dennis Velez is a United States Navy rear admiral and surface warfare officer who serves as the chief of staff of the United States Cyber Command. He previously served as the director of plans and policy of United States Cyber Command from June 2023 to June 2024.[1][2]

Dennis Velez
Official portrait, 2024
BornPonce, Puerto Rico
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1992–present
RankRear Admiral
CommandsCarrier Strike Group 10
Navy Recruiting Command
USS San Jacinto (CG-56)
USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62)
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
Touro College (MS)

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, Velez graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He earned a master's degree in Information Technology Management. Also has a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Touro College.

In 2021 Dennis Velez was inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.[3]

Military career

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Velez most recently served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 10 from April 2022 to May 2023.[4][5][6] He previously served as the commander of Navy Recruiting Command from April 2020 to March 2022,[7][8] and as the senior military assistant to the 76th United States Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, with tours as commanding officer of the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) and USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62).[9][10]

In February 2023, Velez was nominated for promotion to rear admiral.[11]

Military decorations and awards

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Among Rear Admiral Velez's military decorations are the following:

 
 
 
 
     
 
 
Surface Warfare Officer Insignia
1st Row Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit w/ one gold star Meritorious Service Medal w/ three gold stars
2nd Row Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ three gold stars Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ one gold star Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
3rd Row Navy Achievement Medal Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device
4th Row Navy Expeditionary Medal w/ one bronze service star National Defense Service Medal w/ one bronze service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
5th Row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ two bronze service stars Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal
6th Row Humanitarian Service Medal w/ one bronze star Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ three bronze stars Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ three bronze stars
7th Row NATO Medal Navy Rifleman Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device
Command at Sea insignia
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

References

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  1. ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), March 2023" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  2. ^ "Flag Officer Assignments". U.S. Department of Defense. 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  3. ^ https://www.opv.pr.gov/salon-de-la-fama/salon-de-la-fama
  4. ^ "Carrier Strike Group 10, GHWBCSG Changes Command". DVIDS. Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia. 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  5. ^ "Flag Officer Assignments". U.S. Department of Defense. 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  6. ^ "Carrier Strike Group 10, GHWBCSG Changes Command". DVIDS. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  7. ^ Anderson, Cody (2020-06-11). "CNRC Welcomes RDML Dennis Vélez". dvidshub.net.
  8. ^ "Rear Admiral Alexis T. Walker". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  9. ^ "Rear Admiral Dennis Velez". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  10. ^ "UNITED STATES NAVY FLAG OFFICERS (Public), March 2021" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-05-14. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  11. ^ "PN370 — Navy, 118th Congress (2023-2024)". U.S. Congress. 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of Navy Recruiting Command
2020–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Carrier Strike Group 10
2022–2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of Plans and Policy of the United States Cyber Command
2023–2024
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the United States Cyber Command
2024–present
Incumbent