Mark E. Ferguson III
Encyclopedia
Mark E. Ferguson III is a United States Navy
four-star admiral
who currently serves as the 37th Vice Chief of Naval Operations
. He previously served as the 55th Chief of Naval Personnel
(CNP) which he also concurrently serves as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education) from April 16, 2008 to August 5, 2011. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Legislative Affairs and Assistant Commander for Distribution, Navy Personnel Command. He assumed his current assignment on August 22, 2011.
in 1978.
Ferguson has served at sea onboard the USS South Carolina
(CGN 37), the USS Fife (DD 991), the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as Reactor Officer, and as Commanding Officer on the USS Benfold (DDG 65) and Destroyer Squadron Eighteen.
Ashore, Ferguson has served at the Navy Personnel Command (as Flag Officer), the Bureau of Navy Personnel, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and in the Office of Legislative Affairs
(two tours).
On January 24, 2008, then RADM Ferguson was nominated by the President to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education). He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on March 13, 2008.
On April 16, 2008, Ferguson assumed duties as the Navy's 55th Chief of Naval Personnel. He serves concurrently as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education).
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
four-star admiral
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
who currently serves as the 37th Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
. He previously served as the 55th Chief of Naval Personnel
Chief of Naval Personnel
The Chief of Naval Personnel is responsible for overall manpower readiness for the United States Navy. The CNP also serves as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and is one of four Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations, with the identification of N1/NT...
(CNP) which he also concurrently serves as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education) from April 16, 2008 to August 5, 2011. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Legislative Affairs and Assistant Commander for Distribution, Navy Personnel Command. He assumed his current assignment on August 22, 2011.
Service
Ferguson received his commission, with distinction, from the U.S. Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1978.
Ferguson has served at sea onboard the USS South Carolina
USS South Carolina (CGN-37)
USS South Carolina was the second ship of the California-class of nuclear powered guided missile cruisers in the United States Navy....
(CGN 37), the USS Fife (DD 991), the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as Reactor Officer, and as Commanding Officer on the USS Benfold (DDG 65) and Destroyer Squadron Eighteen.
Ashore, Ferguson has served at the Navy Personnel Command (as Flag Officer), the Bureau of Navy Personnel, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and in the Office of Legislative Affairs
Office of Legislative Affairs (United States Navy)
The Office of Legislative Affairs is a United States Navy function which coordinates activities between the Department of the Navy and the United States Congress.The office reports to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations...
(two tours).
On January 24, 2008, then RADM Ferguson was nominated by the President to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education). He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on March 13, 2008.
On April 16, 2008, Ferguson assumed duties as the Navy's 55th Chief of Naval Personnel. He serves concurrently as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education).
Military Awards
| Surface Warfare Officer Pin | ||
| Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast... |
Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... w/ 2 award star Award star An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force... s |
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense... |
Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal The Meritorious Service Medal is a senior level military decoration presented to denote acts of meritorious service worthy of recognition. This medal can be awarded in a combat or non- combat theatre... w/ 2 award star Award star An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force... s |
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may... w/ 1 award star Award star An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force... |
| Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal Achievement Medal The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service... |
Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... w/ 1 oak leaf cluster Oak leaf cluster An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration... |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... |
| Navy E Ribbon Navy E Ribbon The Battle Efficiency Ribbon, Navy "E" Ribbon, or the Battle "E" ribbon was established in July 1976 by Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf. The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on U.S. Navy ships, squadrons, or units that have won a battle efficiency competition after July 1, 1974... |
Navy Expeditionary Medal Navy Expeditionary Medal The Navy Expeditionary Medal is an award of the United States Navy which was first created in August 1936 by General Orders of the Department of the Navy... |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... w/ 2 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
| Southwest Asia Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War... w/ 2 campaign stars |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 4 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
| Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,... |
NATO Medal NATO Medal The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium... for Yugoslavia service |
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal The Kuwait Liberation Medal is a military service medal of several countries. The medal is issued in different versions for each country, those being:*Kuwait Liberation Medal *Kuwait Liberation Medal *Kuwait Liberation Medal... (Kuwait) |
Education
- Cardinal Gibbons SchoolCardinal Gibbons SchoolThe Cardinal Gibbons School, also referred to as Cardinal Gibbons, CG and most commonly as Gibbons, was a Roman Catholic high school and middle school for boys in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A...
, Class of 1974 - United States Naval Academy, Class of 1978
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Naval Postgraduate SchoolNaval Postgraduate SchoolThe Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
- National Security Fellowship, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
- Air Command and Staff CollegeAir Command and Staff CollegeThe Air Command and Staff College is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate professional military education school. It prepares field grade and equivalent officers of all U.S...
.