CAPT Donald V. Rauch

Past Commodore, Destroyer Squadron 31 (CDS 31)

21 March 2022 CAPT Rauch was raised in Springfield, Virginia.  He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute and an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College.

His Division Officer tours include serving as Main Propulsion Division Officer in USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968) and Operations Officer in USS Sirocco (PC 6). As a Department Head, he served as Operations Officer in USS Hawes (FFG 53) and Operations Officer in PCU Independence (LCS 2) Blue Crew.  His most recent operational tours were as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Littoral Combat Ship Crew 201 and USS Independence.

Ashore, he was assigned as Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) and Future Plans (N5) Officer in Naval Beach Group Two (NBG2), as Deputy Assistant for Operations in the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel (OPNAV NOOK), as the Defense Legislative Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, (R-MS), and as a National Security Fellow in Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  He most recently served as Deputy Division Chief in the Joint Staff, J-35, Joint Operations Division, Central Command (JOD CENT).

CAPT Rauch has deployed to the CENTCOM AOR on five occasions in support of UN sanctions against Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.  

His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various unit commendations.