CDR Steven Dobesh of Houston, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001 with a B.A. in Political Science. He also holds a Master’s of Business Administration from San Diego State University.

At sea, his career as a Navy helicopter pilot at HSL-43 and HSM-51 includes deployments all over the world including participation in Operation Unified Assistance (2004 Indonesian Tsunami Humanitarian Assistance), Joint Task Force Katrina, Counter-Narcotics Patrols, Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, Operation Damayan (Typhoon Haiyan Humanitarian Assistance), and multiple South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Patrols. He has multiple deployments on USS THACH (FFG 43) and USS LASSEN (DDG 82).

Ashore, he was a Fleet Replacement Instructor Pilot at HSM-41 and worked on the staff of Expeditionary Strike Group THREE in San Diego.

CDR Dobesh also has extensive experience working with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force and Republic of Korea Navy.

On the Joint Staff, CDR Dobesh was assigned to J4, the Logistics Directorate and was the Technology and Innovation Branch Chief where he worked on such technologies as Automated Delivery, Additive Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Blockchain.

CDR Dobesh was also a member of the Joint Staff Innovation Group, which reported directly to the VCJCS and routinely briefed the most senior leaders in the DoD including the Defense Science Boards and Defense Innovation Boards. The JSIG worked closely with DIUx (Defense Innovation Unit Experimental), DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and University Laboratories around the Country. He also served a four-month watch rotation in the National Military Command Center.

His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Humanitarian Service Medals, and various unit and campaign medals.

Last Updated: 9 May 2022