Nickname(s) Jack Name David Dorsett | Rank Vice Admiral Years of service 1978–2011 | |
 | ||
Born 8 October 1956 (age 67)
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina ( 1956-10-08 ) Allegiance United States of America Battles/wars Operation Southern Watch
Operation Restore Hope
Operation Desert Fox
Operation Resolute Response
Operation El Dorado Canyon
Operation Attain Document
Operation Prairie Fire Awards National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (3)
Meritorious Service Medal (4)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Battles and wars Operation Southern Watch, Bombing of Iraq, 1986 United States bombing of Libya, Action in the Gulf of Sidra Commands held Office of Naval Intelligence, Joint Chiefs of Staff | ||
Education Jacksonville University Service/branch United States Navy | ||
David John “Jack” Dorsett (born 8 October 1956) is a corporate vice president for cyber and C4 at Northrop Grumman, and a retired vice admiral of the U.S. Navy. He was the first Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance and 63rd Director of Naval Intelligence. He served as the Director of Intelligence, Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2005–2008 prior to assuming his position on the Chief of Naval Operations staff.
Contents
- Early life and education
- Military service
- Establishment of the Information Dominance Corps
- Initiatives as DCNO for Information Dominance
- Unmanned initiatives
- Networking initiatives
- Accelerating electronic warfare capabilities
- Cyber warfare initiatives
- Maritime domain awareness MDA
- Northrop Grumman
- Military awards
- References
Early life and education
Dorsett was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, and raised in Virginia. He graduated from Jacksonville University (Florida) in 1978, receiving a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He was also the 2008 Distinguished Alumni for Jacksonville University.
Jack Dorsett is a naval intelligence officer, joint specialty officer, a specialist in Joint and Strategic Intelligence, and a qualified surface warfare officer. He possesses significant experience in National Security Affairs (Europe, Middle East, Asia) and in Strategic Planning. He graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College and Armed Forces Staff College, and was awarded a master's degree from the Defense Intelligence College. He has also attended executive business programs at Babson College and the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Military service
He was commissioned in the US Navy in 1978 and previously served as an exchange midshipman with the Royal Navy, serving on the Ton class minesweeper HMS Gavinton (M1140). His early career included duty in USS Elliot (DD-967), USS Oldendorf (DD-972), and as executive officer in USS Dominant (MSO-431).
From 1983–1987, he served as an intelligence analyst and operations officer at FOSIC U.S. Naval Forces Europe, providing intelligence support during Operations El Dorado Canyon, Attain Document, and Prairie Fire. In 1987, he reported to Sixth Fleet as political-military officer and deputy assistant chief of staff for intelligence.
He transferred to the U.S. Naval War College in 1989, serving as executive assistant for the CNO's Strategic Studies Group. He then served as the intelligence officer in USS Ranger (CV-61), participating in Operations Southern Watch and Restore Hope. From 1993 to 1996, he directed the Operational Intelligence/Crisis Management Department at the Joint Intelligence Center Pacific.
In 1996, Dorsett transferred to Washington, D.C., where he directed the CNO's Intelligence Plot and then served as director of intelligence, Office of Naval Intelligence. From 1998 to 1999, he served as the assistant chief of staff for intelligence on the COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT staff, and participated in Operations Desert Fox, Southern Watch, Resolute Response, and other sensitive, nationally tasked combat and special operations.
Dorsett commanded the Joint Intelligence Center (JICCENT), U.S. Central Command between 1999–2001, where he managed intelligence support to theater forces during Operations Southern Watch and Determined Response. In June 2001, he assumed duties as the director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements and resources on the OPNAV staff. He was selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half) in May 2003 and assigned as the special assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence; in July 2005 he reported to the Joint Staff as the director for intelligence (J2). He was selected for promotion to rear admiral (upper half).
As a flag officer, he served as special assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence; director of Intelligence (J2), United States Pacific Command; director for Intelligence (J2), U.S. Joint Staff; and was the 63rd Director of Naval Intelligence (N2), Chief of Naval Operations. On 2 November 2009, Dorsett assumed office as the 1st Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (OPNAV N2/N6).
Establishment of the Information Dominance Corps
In response to the CNO’s direction, Dorsett spearheaded the formation of the Information Dominance Corps (IDC)—a cadre of information specialists—consisting of more than 45,000 active and Reserve Navy officers, enlisted and civilian professionals possessing extensive skills in information-intensive fields. These specialists include information professional officers, information warfare officers, naval intelligence officers, meteorological and oceanography officers, space cadre officers, cyber engineer officers, aerographer’s mates, cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, and civilian personnel.
The stand up of N2/N6 represents a landmark transition in the evolution of naval warfare, designed to elevate information as a main battery of the Navy’s warfighting capabilities, and firmly establish the U.S. Navy's prominence in intelligence, cyber warfare, and information management.
Initiatives as DCNO for Information Dominance
On 31 October 2009, the CNO established the office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (OPNAV N2/N6) and on 2 November 2009, Dorsett assumed duties as the 1st Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance.
As the DCNO for Information Dominance, Dorsett was the CNO’s principal advisor for all information capabilities. His strategic objective was to elevate information to a core navy warfighting capability and to functionally integrate intelligence, information warfare, information/network management, oceanography, and geospatial information for information age operations, while delivering assured command and control and information access to operational forces by delivering deep multi-intelligence penetration and understanding of potential adversaries, melded with deep multi-domain understanding of the operating environment.
He was further tasked with coordinating resource investment to deliver information-centric capabilities and competitive advantages while aggressively accelerating experimentation and innovation with information capabilities including remotely piloted, unattended, and autonomous capabilities adaptively networked to extend reach, penetration and persistence in denied areas.
Unmanned initiatives
Under Dorsett, the Navy made significant progress in building a network of unmanned systems that will perform ISR, communication relay, strike, and other missions.
Networking initiatives
Accelerating electronic warfare capabilities
The Navy has begun to restore its EW advantage and develop world-class cyber warfare capabilities to tackle future threats. To that end, the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Analysis of Alternatives concluded in April 2010.
Cyber warfare initiatives
Dorsett articulated the need establish the FLTCYBERCOM / TENTHFLT to coordinate globally and serve as the Navy Component Commander to U.S. Cyber Command.
Maritime domain awareness (MDA)
Northrop Grumman
At Northrop Grumman, he serves as the company's primary liaison for cyber and command, control, communications and computer programs and manages corporate-wide interfaces with key officials of the U.S. government's executive branch and Congress, advises on major program initiatives, and facilitates development of strategic concepts and marketing solutions. In this role, he has facilitated development of company-wide strategic concepts and customer engagement on issues that include: command and control of cyber and non-kinetic effects; assured communications; and, integrated electronic warfare solutions.
Dorsett also serves on the board of the Naval Intelligence Professionals and is a member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA).