Command Master Chief Mark W. Rudes, USN (Ret.)
The Naval Order of the United States is pleased to announce that Command Master Chief Mark W. Rudes, USN (Ret.) has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Sea Service Award – Senior Enlisted. Command Master Chief Rudes was recognized during our annual Congress in October. The Distinguished Sea Service Award – Senior Enlisted recognizes the exemplary service of a recently retired senior enlisted person who, over their total career, distinguished them self and the naval services, such that they should be singled out as one who stands "First Among Firsts."
Command Master Chief Rudes, a native of Speculator, New York, entered the Navy after graduation from Wells Central School in 1986. After recruit basic training in Orlando, Florida, he attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. He completed his submarine quals in USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SBN 657 Blue) at Charleston, South Carolina. He then converted to the medical field, reporting to USS DIXON (AS 37) as a Corpsman.
Other assignments include USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), Submarine Independent Duty Corpsman School, USS LOUISVILLE (SSN 724), Commander Submarine Squadron ELEVEN, USS PORTSMOUTH (SSN 707), USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN 716), USS HOUSTON (SSN 713) and Joint Task force Full Accounting (JTF-FA) supporting missions in Southeast Asia. Master Chief Rudes was assigned as Chief of the Boat onboard USS BREMERTON (SSN 698) and served as Command Master Chief for Commander, Submarine Development Squadron FIVE in Bangor, Washington, Naval Base Point Loma, Commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet, USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN76) and U.S. Naval Forces Afghanistan. He assumed duties as Senior Enlisted Advisor to USPACCOM in 2012.
He earned the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards),Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and various unit and campaign awards. He is authorized to wear the Enlisted Submarine (SS) Insignia, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (SW) and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (AW).
He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy, National Defense University's Keystone, Franklin Covey Executive Leadership course and the University of San Diego RADY School of Business Executive Leadership program. He completed his Bachelor of Science in bio-chemistry from The George Washington University and Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Arizona State University.