Director
Brief info
Rear Adm. Dwight D. Shepherd is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1983, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing. He also earned a Master of Science in 2006 from the Industrial College of Armed Forces (ICAF), in National Resource Strategy. Shepherd was commissioned an ensign in June 1984 and earned his Naval Flight Officer wings July 1985.
Shepherd operational command tours include Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) 3, the Navy’s largest aviation squadron. His major command was Strategic Communications Wing 1 and Task Force 124. He was the first black officer to command a take charge and move out (TACAMO) squadron and air wing.
His operational tours include Patrol Special Projects Unit (VPU) 2 (Avionics Division Officer), VQ-3 (Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures (NATOPS), flight officer and maintenance officer), and Commander Task Force 70/75/Carrier Strike Group 5 (N6/IWC), Yokosuka, Japan, aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).
His shore tours include Bureau of Naval Personnel/PERS-43 (Initial Assignment and VQ/Force Support detailer), Naval Training Support Unit (NTSU) (NATOPS evaluator/instructor), U.S. Strategic Command (TACAMO/ABNCP current ops officer), and Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV)/N6F (executive assistant), OPNAV N00X (strategic alignment branch head), senior military assistant to the secretary of the Navy, and director, Manpower and Personnel Joint Staff.
He is currently assigned to U.S. Northern Command/ North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) as director, Cyberspace Operations/J6.
Shepherd’s decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Joint Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and other unit and service awards.