CAPT Ethan M. Rule

PAST COMMANDING OFFICER, USS NEW ORLEANS (LPD 18)

31 October 2024

Captain Rule, a native of Rhode Island, graduated from Seton Hall University in 1999 and earned his commission as a Surface Warfare Officer through Officer Candidate School in 2000. He earned his Master’s Degree in Policy and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College in 2013.

Captain Rule commanded USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) and USS TORTUGA (LSD 46); and was Executive Officer aboard USS MESA VERDE (LPD 19), and the forward-deployed USS AMERICA (LHA 6). He also served aboard USS BATAAN (LHD 5), USS SEATTLE (AOE 3), USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44), USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17), and USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36).

Ashore, he served at Training Support Center, Hampton Roads; Carrier Strike Group Four as the Flag Secretary/N1, Expeditionary Strike Group Two as the Chief of Operations, and the Joint Staff J7 Deployable Training Division as the Team Chief. He deployed to Afghanistan as an Electronic Warfare Officer.

He currently serves as the Commanding Officer aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18).

Captain Rule’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (6), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and numerous campaign and unit awards