Mark E. Ferguson III
| Mark E. Ferguson III | |
|---|---|
Admiral Mark E. Ferguson III, USN
|
|
| Born | October 30, 1956 |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1978–2016 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held |
U.S. Naval Forces Europe U.S. Naval Forces Africa Allied Joint Force Command Naples Vice Chief of Naval Operations Chief of Naval Personnel Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education) Chief of Legislative Affairs and Assistant Commander for Distribution, Navy Personnel Command Assistant Surface Captain Assignment Officer and Surface Nuclear Assignment Officer, Bureau of Navy Personnel Special Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Liaison Officer and Director of the Senate Liaison Office, Office of Legislative Affairs |
| Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (3) |
Mark E. Ferguson III (born October 30, 1956) is a retired United States Navy admiral who last served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, and concurrently served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Admiral Ferguson previously served as the 37th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from August 22, 2011 to July 1, 2014. Prior to that, he served as the 55th Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) and concurrently served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education). He also served as Chief of Legislative Affairs and Assistant Commander for Distribution, Navy Personnel Command. He retired from active duty on July 1, 2016.
Ferguson entered the U.S. Naval Academy from Glen Burnie, Maryland with the Class of 1978. He graduated tenth in his class, earning a bachelor's degree in systems engineering and the N* as a member of the lacrosse team.
Following graduation, he attended nuclear power school at Orlando, Florida and nuclear prototype training in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Following completion of surface warfare officer's school in Newport, RI, he was assigned to the USS South Carolina (CGN 37), serving onboard from 1980-1983.
He reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and completed his master's degree in computer science. Following department head school, he reported in 1985 to the USS Fife (DD991) as operations officer.
From 1987-1989, he was assigned to the Bureau of Personnel in Washington, DC as an assignment officer.
From 1989-1992, he served as the Reactor Officer onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). During his tour, the ship participated in Operation Desert Storm and deployed to the US European Command (EUCOM) area of operations.
Following this tour, he reported to the Department of the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs in Washington, DC as the officer responsible for readiness and surface warfare programs.
He was designated the first commanding officer of USS Benfold (DDG 65) and reported in 1995 to Pascagoula, Mississippi with the pre-commissioning crew.
On March 30, 1996 the USS Benfold (DDG 65) was commissioned in San Diego, CA. During Ferguson's command tour, the ship was awarded multiple department awards, and subsequently, the Battle ‘E’ and the Spokane Trophy for the readiness cycle. In his article "Retention Through Redemption" in Harvard Business Review and subsequent book "It´s Your Ship", author D. Michael Abrashoff criticized his predecessor in USS Benfold. Although his name was not explicitly mentioned, it was implied the person was Ferguson.
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