Joshua Rudd
Joshua Rudd | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2026 | |
| Nickname | Josh[1] |
| Born | Joshua Monroe Rudd[2] c. 1971 (age 54–55) California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1993–present |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Cyber Command National Security Agency Central Security Service Special Operations Command Pacific Joint Task Force National Capital Region Delta Force |
| Conflicts | War in Afghanistan Iraq War War against the Islamic State |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (3) |
| Alma mater | Furman University |
Joshua M. Rudd (born c. 1971) is a United States Army general who has served as the director of the National Security Agency and commander of United States Cyber Command since March 2026. He served as deputy commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from September 2024.[3] He previously served as the chief of staff of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from 2022 to 2024. He previously served as commander of Special Operations Command Pacific from 2020 to 2022.[4][5]
Early life
Rudd was born in Southern California and raised in South Carolina.[6] His home town is Fort Mill, South Carolina.[1]
Military career
Rudd graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1993 and earned his commission as a second lieutenant through ROTC. Rudd successfully completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection and later graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1999. Rudd completed numerous specialized courses including Army Ranger Course at Fort Benning, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster course in Yuma, Arizona, and Combat Diver Qualification Course at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West, Florida. Rudd has deployed in support of multiple combat operations including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rudd has served in various command and staff assignments including Chief Current Operations Joint Special Operations Command, J3 Forward Deployed Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Director Forward Deployed Operations Intelligence Fusion Cell, Commander JIATF-NCR, Commander of a Forward Deployed Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Deputy Commanding General 25th Infantry Division, Deputy Commanding General 1st Special Forces Command, Commander Special Operations Command Pacific, and Chief of Staff of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.
Rudd holds a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.[6] He is a graduate of the Naval Command and Staff College, Infantry Officer Advanced Course and United States Army War College.[1]
In September 2024, Rudd was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the deputy commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.[7][8]
In December 2025, Rudd was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as the commander of United States Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency.[9][10][11] On March 10, 2026, he was confirmed for the positions in a 71–29 vote by the Senate.[12]
Awards and decorations
Rudd's awards and decorations include:[13]
| Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||||||||
| Defense Superior Service Medal
with two oak leaf clusters |
Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters | ||||||||||
| Bronze Star Medal
with two oak leaf clusters |
Defense Meritorious Service Medalwith two oak leaf clusters | Meritorious Service Medalwith oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
| Army Commendation Medal | Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster | Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
| National Defense Service Medal with star with Award numeral 3 |
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars |
Iraq Campaign Medal with four stars | |||||||||
| Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | |||||||||
| Army Service Ribbon with star |
Army Overseas Service with Award numeral "3" |
NATO Medal Non-Article 5 | |||||||||
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Valorous Unit Award | Meritorious Unit Award | |||||||||
| Master Parachutist Badge | |||||||||||
| Master Military Freefall Parachutist Badge | Pathfinder Badge | Special Diver Badge | |||||||||
| Special Forces Tab | Ranger Tab | ||||||||||
References
- ^ a b c "Biographical Databook Class 2020-4 National Defense University" (PDF). National Defense University. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Permission for Visa on Arrival" (PDF). Security Services Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "Lieutenant General Joshua M. Rudd (USA)". General Officer Management Office. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Force Protection Is a Pacific Priority | AFCEA International". www.afcea.org. 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Chief of Staff, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
- ^ a b "Major General Joshua M. Rudd" (PDF). Special Operations Command Pacific. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "PN1913 – 1 nominee for Army, 118th Congress (2023–2024) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress".
- ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024.
- ^ "PN711 – Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd – Army, 119th Congress (2025–2026)". U.S. Congress. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of War. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ Welch, Carley (17 December 2025). "INDOPAC's Rudd said to be Trump's pick for US Cyber Command chief". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ Zengerle, Patricia (10 March 2026). "US Senate confirms National Security Agency director, ending long vacancy". Reuters. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ "LTG Joshua Monroe Rudd". Military Hall of Honor. Retrieved 5 February 2026.