Joshua Monroe "Josh" Rudd (born ) is an American general who has served as the director of the National Security Agency and commander of United States Cyber Command since March 2026. He previously served as deputy commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from September 2024. Before that he served as the chief of staff of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from 2022 to 2024 and 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 had two tours in Afghanistan with JSOC and six tours in Iraq. He became the commander of Delta Force in the summer of 2015.
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. On March 10, 2026, he was confirmed for the positions in a 71–29 vote by the Senate.
Awards and decorations Rudd's awards and decorations include:
Combat Infantryman BadgeDefense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clustersLegion of Merit with two oak leaf clustersBronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clustersDefense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clustersMeritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusterArmy Commendation MedalJoint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterArmy Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterNational Defense Service Medalwith star with Award numeral 3Afghanistan Campaign Medalwith two starsIraq Campaign Medalwith four starsInherent Resolve Campaign MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalArmy Service Ribbonwith starArmy Overseas Service with Award numeral "3"NATO MedalNon-Article 5Joint Meritorious Unit AwardValorous Unit AwardMeritorious Unit Award Master Parachutist Badge Master Military Freefall Parachutist Badge Pathfinder Badge Special Diver Badge Special Forces Tab Ranger Tab
Dates of promotions RankBranchDate Brigadier generalArmy2 July 2019 Major general3 February 2022 Lieutenant general25 September 2024 General20 March 2026
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