CAPT Ethan M. Rule

Commanding Officer, USS America (LHA 6)

09 January 2025

Capt. 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.

Rule assumed command of USS America (LHA 6) on January 9, 2025.

Rule’s operational assignments include commanding officer, USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and USS New Orleans (LPD 18); and 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).

Rule served ashore at Carrier Strike Group Four as the Flag Secretary/N1 and then at Expeditionary Strike Group Two as the Chief of Operations. He served at the Joint Staff J7 Deployable Training Division as the Team Chief. He deployed to Afghanistan as an Electronic Warfare Officer.

His personal awards 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 various campaign and unit awards.