Vice Adm. Bushong is a native of Lucas, Texas, and was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1981.

Afloat, he has served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. His operational assignments include duty as a division officer aboard USS Memphis (SSN 691), homeported in Norfolk, Va.; as engineer officer in USS Omaha (SSN 692), homeported in Pearl Harbor; and, as executive officer in USS Olympia (SSN 717), also homeported in Pearl Harbor. Bushong commanded USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), homeported in Groton, Conn.; USS Frank Cable (AS 40), homeported in Apra Harbor, Guam; Submarine Group Two in Groton, Conn; and Joint Region Marianas.

Ashore, he has served as a submarine squadron engineer, as a staff officer at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium, and, as the prospective commanding officer instructor at Naval Reactors in Washington, D.C. He also served two tours on the Navy Staff in the Pentagon, and as the executive officer to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander, U.S. European Command. He reported to his present assignment as U.S. security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority in October 2012.

He is responsible to the Secretary of State for assisting the Palestinian Authority to transform and professionalize its security sector, advocating for security initiatives that build trust and confidence, and supporting whole-of-government efforts to set the conditions for a negotiated two-state solution.

Bushong received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He also received a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has the degree of Ocean Engineer, jointly awarded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.