Mr. Marc W. Ratkus is a retired cryptologic warfare officer and a senior member of the Information Warfare training community with expertise in signals intelligence, cyberspace, space, information operations, and electronic warfare. He has experience in major command leadership positions at all levels of warfare and multiple echelons. His 39-year active-duty Navy career included duty at sea and ashore in the Pacific, European and Middle East theaters. His staff assignments involved integrating non-kinetic warfare capabilities into military plans and operations, policy and strategy development, and resource programming. Ratkus has held key command leadership positions in the Information and Cryptologic Warfare Communities. 

A native of North Carolina, Ratkus enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1983 and served 14 years in the Cryptologic Technician Maintenance rating attaining the rank of chief petty officer. While enlisted, he served at sea aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Virginia (CGN 38), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and ashore at Naval Technical Training Center Corry Station and Naval Security Group Detachment Crane. 
 
In 1997, he commissioned as a chief warrant officer and in 2000 was selected for promotion to lieutenant junior grade under the Limited Duty Officer program, serving at sea aboard USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and ashore at Naval Security Group Activity Kunia.
 
In 2002, he laterally transferred to the Restricted Line (Cryptologic Warfare) and served ashore at Naval Security Group Activity Sugar Grove. Subsequently, he served on the staffs of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/U.S. 6th Fleet; Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central/U.S. 5th Fleet; Navy Personnel Command, Center for Information Warfare Training; Tactical Training Group Atlantic; and National Security Agency/Central Security Service Georgia. At sea, he served on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight; and commanded Navy Information Operations Command Colorado. Finally, in his last active-duty assignment, Ratkus commanded Center for Information Warfare Training.
 
Ratkus holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Hawaii Pacific University, a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University, a Masters-level Military Sciences certificate from the U. S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a Masters-level technical certificate in Computer Science from the Naval Post-Graduate School. 
 
Ratkus' personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various individual, unit and campaign awards.
 

Last Updated: 13 March 2024