Rear Adm. Dusty "Gigi" Rhodes is a native of Larchmont, New York, and a 1995 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, earning a degree in Ocean Engineering. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and is a 2022 fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI.

Operationally, he served in numerous fighter squadrons flying the F/A-18 C/E/F. His fleet assignments include the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, Valions of VFA-15, Blue Blasters of VFA-34 and Sunliners of VFA-81. He commanded VFA-81 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3. Rhodes deployed multiple times in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Carl Vinson (CVN70), and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

Ashore, Rhode’s assignments include duties as a TOPGUN air-to-air employment subject matter expert at Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific; NATO Security Investment Program coordinator for NATO Allied Command Transformation and executive assistant to Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. Rhodes served as Branch Head, Carrier Strike Aircraft and Weapons for the Air Warfare Division (N98) on the Chief of Naval Operations staff and the executive assistant to the 32nd and 33rd Chief of Naval Operations.

Rhodes assumed the duties of Deputy Director for Operations, Joint Operations Intelligence Center, J3, Joint Staff in February 2024.

Rear Adm. Rhodes has flown over 3,500 F/A-18 flight hours, 820 arrested landings and 100 combat missions. His decorations are a testament to the fine Sailors with whom he has served.

Last Updated: 17 April 2024