US Navy’s Spokeswoman Promoted to Rear Admiral

The United States Navy promoted Dawn E. Cutler to the rank of rear admiral lower half during a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, Sept. 3.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus spoke about Cutler’s past performance as a public affairs officer (PAO) and commended her ability to step into the role as the Navy’s acting Chief of Information (CHINFO) on short notice nine months ago.

The 30th Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, spoke on the importance of the role of CHINFO and the responsibilities that come with the title.

Retired Rear Adm. Bill Thompson, the first Navy public affairs flag officer, and Lt. j.g. Kat Dransfield, the Navy’s newest public affairs officer, placed one-star shoulder boards on Cutler during the promotion ceremony.

Cutler is a native of Portland, Oregon. She is a 1989 graduate of Oregon State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and earned her commission as a General Unrestricted Line Officer through Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps program. She holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

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