Rear Admiral Kathleen M. Dussault

Rear Adm. Dussault assumed duties as the Director of Logistics Programs and Corporate Operations in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N41) in March 2009.

Dussault returns to OPNAV from a six-month special assignment as director of Task Force 2010 headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan.  In this capacity, she developed an advisory and oversight team that incorporated the acquisition mission with the principles of counter-insurgency warfare.  Prior to OPNAV, she served as the commander of the Joint Contracting Command Iraq/Afghanistan, headquartered in Baghdad, Iraq, and with 18 regional offices throughout both theaters.

Dussault graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in American Government, received her commission from Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., in November 1979, and graduated from Navy Supply Corps School in May 1980.

Dussault has served on USS Point Loma (AGDS 2) in the Pacific Area Launch Support Ship for the Trident missile program as supply officer; USS Concord (AFS 5) as the assistant supply officer during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and as supply officer aboard USS Seattle (AOE 3) where she served as afloat logistics coordinator while deployed to the 5th Fleet area of operation.

Dussault’s shore tours include: assistant supply officer and disbursing officer to the Navy Communications Station, Nea Makri, Greece; Defense Contract Administration Services Region (DCASR), Los Angeles; a negotiator and contracting officer at Naval Supply Center, Oakland, Calif.; procuring contracting officer for the Sidewinder and deputy for Missile Systems Acquisition at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR); Business and Financial manager for programs managed by the Space and Naval Warfare Command; and, executive assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Acquisition Management within the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development and Acquisition. In May 2001, Dussault assumed command of Defense Distribution Depot San Diego. In April 2003, she assumed command of the Office of Special Projects, Arlington, Va.  She then served as the deputy director of Acquisition Management at Defense Logistics Agency, Ft. Belvoir, Va. Prior to her combat assignment, she was assigned as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Acquisition and Logistics Management in Washington, D.C.

Dussault has earned a Master's Degree (with honors) in Procurement Management from Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., and a Master's Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She has achieved the highest levels of accreditation in Acquisition, Financial and Supply Chain Management, as well as Joint Professional Military Education. Dussault is certified in Production and Inventory Management through the Association of Operations Management, the educational society for resource management. She has completed the Executive Education Program at Columbia Business School.

Her decorations include a Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two gold stars, Bronze Star, Navy Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star, and various unit citations, campaign medals and service medals.