Joshua Rudd


Joshua M. Rudd is a United States Army lieutenant general who has served as the Deputy Commander of [the United States Indo-Pacific Command|deputy commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command] since September 2024. He most recently served as the chief of staff of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from 2022 to 2024. He previously served as commander of Special Operations Command Pacific from 2020 to 2022.

Early life

Rudd was born in Southern California and raised in South Carolina. His home town is Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Military career

Rudd graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1993 and earned his commission as a second lieutenant through ROTC. Rudd successfully completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection and later graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1999. Rudd completed numerous specialized courses including Army Ranger Course at Fort Benning, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster course in Yuma, Arizona, and Combat Diver Qualification Course at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West, Florida. Rudd has deployed in support of multiple combat operations including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rudd has served in various command and staff assignments including Chief Current Operations Joint [Special Operations Command], J3 Forward Deployed Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Director Forward Deployed Operations Intelligence Fusion Cell, Commander JIATF-NCR, Commander of a Forward Deployed Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Deputy Commanding General 25th Infantry Division, Deputy Commanding General 1st [Special Forces Command], Commander Special Operations Command – Pacific, and Chief of Staff of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.
Rudd holds a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. He is a graduate of the Naval Command and Staff College, Infantry Officer Advanced Course and United States Army War College.
In September 2024, Rudd was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the deputy commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command.
In December 2025, Rudd was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as the commander of United States Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency.