# Dennis Velez

Dennis Velez is a United States Navy rear admiral and surface warfare officer who serves as the chief of staff of the United States Cyber Command. He previously served as the director of plans and policy of United States Cyber Command from June 2023 to June 2024.
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, Velez graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He earned a master's degree in Information Technology Management. Also has a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Touro College.
In 2021 Dennis Velez was inducted to the Puerto Rico Veterans Hall of Fame.

## Military career

Velez most recently served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 10 from April 2022 to May 2023. He previously served as the commander of Navy Recruiting Command from April 2020 to March 2022, and as the senior military assistant to the 76th United States Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, with tours as commanding officer of the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) and USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62).
In February 2023, Velez was nominated for promotion to rear admiral.

## Military decorations and awards

Among Rear Admiral Velez's military decorations are the following:
Surface Warfare Officer Insignia :
| 1st Row | Defense Superior Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal | Legion of Merit w/ one gold star | Legion of Merit w/ one gold star | Legion of Merit w/ one gold star | Meritorious Service Medal w/ three gold stars | Meritorious Service Medal w/ three gold stars | Meritorious Service Medal w/ three gold stars |
| 2nd Row | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ three gold stars | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ three gold stars | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ three gold stars | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ one gold star | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ one gold star | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ one gold star | Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster | Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster | Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |
| 3rd Row | Navy Achievement Medal | Navy Achievement Medal | Navy Achievement Medal | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device | Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device | Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device |
| 4th Row | Navy Expeditionary Medal w/ one bronze service star | Navy Expeditionary Medal w/ one bronze service star | Navy Expeditionary Medal w/ one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal w/ one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal w/ one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal w/ one bronze service star | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
| 5th Row | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ two bronze service stars | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ two bronze service stars | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ two bronze service stars | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Armed Forces Service Medal | Armed Forces Service Medal | Armed Forces Service Medal |
| 6th Row | Humanitarian Service Medal w/ one bronze star | Humanitarian Service Medal w/ one bronze star | Humanitarian Service Medal w/ one bronze star | Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ three bronze stars | Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ three bronze stars | Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ three bronze stars | Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ three bronze stars | Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ three bronze stars | Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ three bronze stars |
| 7th Row | NATO Medal | NATO Medal | NATO Medal | Navy Rifleman Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device | Navy Rifleman Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device | Navy Rifleman Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device | Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device | Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device | Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device |
| Command at Sea insignia |||||||||
| Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |||||||||