A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, Commander Dirickson graduated from Duke University in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies. CDR Dirickson was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in August 2007. She earned her Naval Aviator Wings in August 2009 and reported to the HS-10 “Warhawks” for initial fleet training. 

CDR Dirickson began her operational flying in September 2010 with the “Chargers” of HS-14 forward-deployed to Atsugi, Japan.  While a “Charger”, she made three Western Pacific deployments aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) and USS MUSTIN (DDG-89) providing humanitarian assistance/disaster relief in Japan during OPERATION TOMODACHI and in Thailand.   

CDR Dirickson was selected for instructor duty as HSC-3 in San Diego, CA in 2014.  She instructed fleet-bound aviators across three series of H-60 helicopter and two series of MQ-8 remote piloted air vehicles. During this tour CDR Dirickson earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.   

In 2017, CDR Dirickson reported to the USS JOHN P. MURTHA (LPD-26) as the Air Boss where she also qualified as Officer of the Deck.  CDR Dirickson then returned to HSC-3 as a Department Head for another instructor tour.  CDR Dirickson returned to the fleet as a Department Head with the “Eightballers” of HSC-8 in 2020.  While with the "Eightballers” she completed two deployments aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) writing the playbook for at-sea operations during a global pandemic. 

Following her department head tour, CDR Dirickson was selected for the Secretary of the Navy Tours with Industry program.  She completed a one-year fellowship working for Qualcomm in San Diego, CA as an analyst and Salesforce Administrator for global sales operations.   

CDR Dirickson has accumulated over 1,900 flight hours. Her awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service awards and ribbons.  She is the mother of three future naval aviators and loving wife to Sam, who has been her biggest supporter throughout her career. 
 

Last Updated: 25 April 2024