DENISE M. KRUSE, COMMANDER, USN

DIRECTOR
National Ice Center

COMMANDING OFFICER
Naval Ice Center (NAVICECEN)
 
Commander Kruse graduated from the George Washington University in 1989 with a degree in Applied Mathematics. She received her commission through the NROTC program upon graduation and was designated as a Naval Oceanographer.

Her first assignment was to Naval Oceanography Command Center in Rota, Spain where she served as a Forecast Duty Officer and Command Duty Officer supporting COMSIXTHFLT Assets until 1991. She next served as the Deputy Commander and MC&G Officer at the Defense Mapping Agency Combat Support Center at Hickam AFB in Hawaii from 1991 through 1994. During this time she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership through Troy State University.

In 1995 Commander Kruse became the Officer in Charge of NAVPACMETOCDET Miramar, CA turning the detachment over to the Marine Corps in conjunction with the base turnover. Reporting to the Naval Postgraduate School in January 1998, Commander Kruse completed her Master of Science degree in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography in 2000.

In January, 2001 she reported to the Precommissioning Unit for USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7), serving as the METOC Officer through commissioning and all workups leading to USS IWO JIMA’s maiden voyage in February 2003. During her time on board Commander Kruse earned her Surface Warfare Officer qualification.

Commander Kruse served as the Executive Officer of the Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Facility, Naples, Italy from 2003 to 2006 supporting COMSIXTHFLT/CNE staffs and fleet assets. She was selected by the METOC community leadership to serve as the Program Officer at Naval Postgraduate School for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Undersea Warfare programs. While there, she concurrently served as the Program Officer for Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics.

She cut her tour short at Naval Postgraduate School to serve as US Naval Central Command /Combined Maritime Force/Fifth Fleet Staff Oceanographer 2007-2008.

Commander Kruse assumed her current position as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Ice Center on December 16, 2008.

Personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), and various unit and service awards.

She is married and have two daughters.