# Steven R. Rudder

Steven R. Rudder is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general and Naval Aviator. Rudder has served as Deputy Commandant for Aviation, USMC and Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

## Marine Corps career

Rudder was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant in 1984. He graduated from The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and his first assignment was to 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion. He received a transfer to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1987. His operational assignments include AH-1 Cobra helicopter training with HMT-303 followed by service with HMLA-367 as Maintenance Officer and Tactics Instructor.
Rudder's staff and command assignments include HMM-161; Weapons and Tactics Officer deploying with the 11th MEU(SOC); AH-1 Division Head, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One; Operations Officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167; Future Operations Officer HMM-261 deploying with the 22nd MEU; Military Assistant to Andrew Marshall, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon; Squadron Commander, HML/A-167; Senior Watch Officer, 3rd Marine Air Wing; J5 Lead planner for Afghanistan and Pakistan, USCENTCOM, Tampa, Florida; Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 26 deploying to Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Branch Head of Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation; student, United States Army War College; Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, Office of Legislative Affairs, HQMC; Commanding General, 1st Marine Air Wing in Okinawa, Japan; Director of Strategic Planning and Policy, United States Pacific Command; Deputy Commandant for Aviation from July 2017 to July 2020; and Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.
Rudder retired from active duty in September 2022. He and his company Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC were sanctioned by the Chinese government on October 10, 2024 due to arms sales to Taiwan.

## Awards and decorations

U.S. military decorations :
| | Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
| | Legion of Merit with one gold award star |
| | Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" Device |
| | Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster |
| | Meritorious Service Medal with gold award star |
| | Air Medal with bronze Strike/flight numeral 4 |
| | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" Device and award star |
| | Joint Service Achievement Medal |
| | Navy Achievement Medal |
| U.S. Unit Awards ||
| | Navy Presidential Unit Citation |
| | Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster |
| | Navy Unit Commendation |
| | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two service stars |
| U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons ||
| | National Defense Service Medal with service star |
| | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
| | Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze campaign stars |
| | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star |
| | Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star |
| | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
| | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
| | Armed Forces Service Medal |
| | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four service stars |
| | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |
| | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |
U.S. badges, patches and tabs :
* Naval Aviator Insignia
* Rifle Expert Badge
* Pistol Expert Badge