Rear Admiral Dawn E. CutlerREAR ADMIRAL DAWN CUTLER, USN, (Ret.) is a native of Portland, Oregon. She is a 1989 graduate of Oregon State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Prior to retirement, she last served as the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Information. Cutler is the principal spokeswoman for the Department of the Navy and provides strategic counsel to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations.

She lead the Navy’s public affairs community consisting of more than 2,500 active and reserve officer, enlisted and civilian communication professionals.

Cutler reported to her first tour as the public affairs, administrative and maintenance administrative officer for Helicopter Combat Support Squadron ONE in San Diego. She then served as the public affairs/protocol officer for Commander, Naval Security Group Activity, Edzell, Scotland; and in 1994, she was assigned as the administrative department head for Commander, Helicopter Antisubmarine Warfare Wing, Pacific, San Diego. In 1995, she was accepted for lateral transfer to the Public Affairs community.

She has served in various Public Affairs Officer assignments: TRICARE Region NINE, San Diego; Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific, San Diego; Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon; Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan; Commander Naval Forces Europe & Africa, Naples, Italy; and three tours at CHINFO as a news desk officer, executive assistant and the deputy Chief of Information.

Cutler’s decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards).