Robert Dirga

Military Professor Joint Military Operations Department

Cmdr., U.S. Navy

Biography

Cmdr. Dirga is a naval intelligence officer and former submarine officer with a career focus on the Asia-Pacific region. He has served on ships and staffs at every level of command within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. His areas of concentration include Chinese and North Korean military and government analysis, operational intelligence, and operational and strategic planning.

Contact Information

Robert.Dirga@usnwc.edu

Areas of Expertise

A2/AD
Intel
Military Planning
Operational Warfare
Policy
Security Cooperation
South China Sea
Submarine Warfare
Wargaming

Professional Highlights

2020

U.S. Naval War College

Military Professor for Joint Military Operations

2019

U.S. Naval War College

Student at College of Naval Warfare and the Joint Land, Air, Sea Strategic-Special Program (JLASS-SP)

2017

Office of Naval Intelligence Detachment Newport

Assistant Officer in Charge

Provides integrated intelligence expertise essential for wargaming, research, warfare analysis and planning at the Naval War College (NWC). Maintains Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) point of presence at Naval Station Newport.

2015

Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet

Senior Watch Officer, Current Intelligence Dept Head, and Operations Officer within C7F Staff N2 Directorate.

2013

U.S. Naval War College

Student at College of Naval Command and Staff and Halsey Alfa Advanced Research Program.

2010

USPACOM Joint Intelligence Operations Center

J2 Senior Watch Officer within Operations Division. Proliferation Branch Head, Director of Analysis and Production, and Korea Branch Head within Northeast Asia Division. Intelligence SME to USPACOM Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell.

2009

Lateral transfer from Submarines to Intelligence

2008

Commander Carrier Strike Group Five / CTF 70

Submarine Operations Officer within N3 Directorate. Additional roles included TLAM Officer, Top Secret Control Officer, SPECAT Control Officer, Assistant Surface Operations Officer, Flag Tactical Action Officer, Battle Watch Captain, and TLAM Launch Area Coordinator.

2006

USS LOS ANGELES (SSN 688)

Combat Systems Officer, Senior Watch Officer, Training Officer, Safety Officer, and Force Protection Officer.

2004

U.S. Pacific Fleet

POL-MIL Officer within N5 Directorate. Coordinated plans and policies for Australia, Korea, and Singapore. JTF-519 J512.

Education

M.A., College of Naval Warfare, 2020, National Security and Strategic Studies

M.A., College of Naval Command and Staff, 2014, National Security and Strategic Studies

Masters Certificate, Naval Postgraduate School, 2014, East Asian Studies

B.S., U.S. Naval Academy, 1999, Computer Science

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