Lt. Cmdr. Matthew R. Rukstela
Officer in Charge, Navy Blue Team Detachment San Diego, Calif.
12 August 2025
Lt. Cmdr. Rukstela was raised in Connecticut and graduated from The Gilbert School in Winsted, Conn. in 1997. That same year he enlisted in the Navy on July 7 at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Ill. He arrived on board the USS Saipan (LHA 2) and USS Portland (LSD 37) for temporary duty before attending Advanced Electronic Technical Core Course, Fire Controlman “A” School and MK 86 Gun Fire Control System “C” School.
While enlisted, he served at sea aboard USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and USS Nitze (DDG 94) as a MK 86, Harpoon Weapon System, Tomahawk Weapon System, and Naval Fires Control System Technician. He completed several deployments in support of Operations Allied Force, Noble Anvil, Noble Eagle, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Ashore he served as a recruiter for Navy Recruiting District New England’s Woonsocket, R.I. office, an administrative clerk for Naval Station Newport, and an instructor at the Surface Warfare Officers School Command. In 2009, he was advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was then commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer program as a Surface Ordnance Officer in 2013.
His first commissioned assignment was to USS Antietam (CG 54) as the Systems Test Officer in Yokosuka, Japan. While there, he earned his Officer of the Deck, Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator, Tactical Action Officer, and Surface Warfare Officer qualifications. His next assignment was as the Assistant Officer-in-Charge, Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment Bahrain in 2016 where he provided arms, ammunition and explosives to maintain the readiness of 5
th Fleet. In 2017, he transferred to Navy Munitions Command Pacific East Asia Division as the Ammunition Materials Officer in support of eight subordinate commands which provided arms, ammunition, and explosives to the Pacific Area of Operations. In 2019, he was selected for lateral transfer to the Information Professional Community and in 2020 transferred to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the Communications Officer and Cyber Security Officer where he earned his Information Warfare Officer designation. In May of 2021, he transferred to Military Sealift Command’s Mobile Communications Unit as the Communications Plans and Operations Officer and in 2023, he transferred to Commander, U.S. 3
rd Fleet as the Communications and Information Systems Director. In June of 2025, he reported to Navy Blue Team San Diego where he is currently serving as the Officer in Charge.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (eight awards), Good Conduct Medal (five awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various unit and campaign awards. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Electromechanic Technologies from Excelsior College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology, Leadership, and Management from Roger Williams University, and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology Management from Southern New Hampshire University.