A native of La Canada, California, CAPT Dicks was commissioned in May 1996 and upon completion of flight training in June 1998, was designated a naval aviator and selected to fly the SH-60B Seahawk.
CAPT Dicks’ at sea assignments include tours with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron LIGHT FOUR SIX (HSL-46) where he completed the Seahawk Weapons & Tactics Instructor course and was named Pilot of the Year for 2001; Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic where he served as Flag Aide; and HSL-44 where he served as the Officer-in-Charge of Detachment TWO onboard USS Monterey (CG 61) and as the squadron Maintenance Officer. During these assignments, CAPT Dicks completed multiple deployments to the FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet Areas of Responsibility.
Ashore, CAPT Dicks has served with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron ONE (VX-1) at NAS Patuxent River, MD where he was assigned to the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter program; served at the Joint Staff, Joint Operations Directorate (J-3), as Operations Officer and Deputy Division Chief for the European Command and NATO division; and at the Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center, Office of Naval Intelligence where he served as the Deputy, Naval Warfare and Director, Air Warfare/SPEAR.
CAPT Dicks has twice had the honor of command. Operationally, he served as the 23rd commander of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron FOUR-SIX (HSM-46) in Mayport, FL. During his time in the command, HSM-46 achieved significant success as back-to-back winners of both the Battle “E” and the Sikorsky Golden Wrench Award for Maintenance Excellence, as well as other unit level awards. Ashore in major command, CAPT Dicks led Naval Support Activity Washington (NSAW) from July 2018 to June 2021. Headquartered at the Washington Navy Yard, NSAW is responsible for the oversight and operations at seven fence lines in the National Capital Region as well as 34 executive homes including the Navy’s senior leaders and the Vice President’s Residence. CAPT Dicks assumed his current duties as Chief of Staff, Naval District Washington in December of 2021.
CAPT Dicks graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and holds a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy (Conflict Management & Resolution), with honors, from Norwich University. He is also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and Joint Forces Staff College.
CAPT Dicks’ personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Air Medal (two Strike/Flight awards), Navy and Marine Commendation Medal (4th award), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award) as well as numerous other campaign and unit awards.
Last Updated: 17 May 2022