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Commander Matthew S. Cushanick, USN
Deputy Superintendent
United States Naval Observatory

 

Commander Cushanick is a 2004 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography and received his commission in the United States Navy.

Following commissioning, he was assigned to Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, CA where he earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Science focusing on Undersea Warfare.

In July 2005, he reported to Pensacola, FL as a Student Naval Aviator serving at Naval Aviation Schools Command, Training Air Wing FIVE, Training Squadron THREE, and Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN before transferring to the Information Warfare Community.

Upon redesignation as an Oceanography Officer in January 2008, Commander Cushanick reported to Naval Oceanography Antisubmarine Warfare Center, Stennis Space Center, MS where he served as Assistant Reachback Cell Operations Officer and Command Duty Officer.

In March 2010, he reported to Headquarters, U.S. Central Command on a Global War on Terror support assignment where he served as Joint Operations Center Meteorology and Oceanography Watch Officer.  Completing his tour in March 2011, Commander Cushanick transferred to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE where he served as Assistant Operations Officer.  During his tour, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as Administration Department Head for Joint Task Force PALADIN SOUTHWEST.

Commander Cushanick returned to NPS in March 2013 and graduated in December 2014 with a Master of Science degree in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography.  Following graduation, he reported aboard USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD-8) as Meteorology and Oceanography Officer.  During his tour, he served as INSURV Coordinator and Legal Officer in addition to completing qualifications as Officer of the Deck Underway and Command Duty Officer.

In July 2017, Commander Cushanick reported as Executive Officer to the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Professional Development Center in Gulfport, MS.  During his tour, he executed the command’s transition into Naval Information Warfare Training Group Gulfport.  In July 2019, Commander Cushanick reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Millington, TN where he served as Oceanography Officer Community Manager. 

In October 2020, he took command of Strike Group Oceanography Team Norfolk where he led the command’s establishment and first two years of operations.  In December 2021, he completed a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign concluding three years of study.

Commander Cushanick reported to the U.S. Naval Observatory and assumed duties as Deputy Superintendent in September 2022.

 

 
 

Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command | 1100 Balch Blvd. | Stennis Space Center, Mississippi 39529

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