Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

After initial surface warfare training, he reported to USS GALLERY (FFG 26) in 1993 as the CIC Officer and then Electrical Officer. During his tour he participated in Maritime Interdiction Operations in support of United Nations sanctions against Haiti, Operation ABLE VIGIL in support of Cuban migrant interdiction and deployed as part of the Middle East Force to the Arabian Gulf before the ship decommissioned in 1996.

In 1996 he reported to his first of three consecutive tours in the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. As the Auxiliaries and Electrical Officer in USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG 54), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan he deployed with the Independence Battle Group for WESTPAC 98. From 1998-2000 he was the Assistant Surface Operations Officer for Commander Carrier Group 5/CTF 70, permanently embarked in USS KITTY HAWK and completed two emergent deployments to the Arabian Gulf.

CDR Scudder began his first department head tour in 2000 as Operations Officer in USS GARY (FFG 51), deploying with the Kitty Hawk Battle Group for both WESTPAC 01 and to the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2001. His second department head tour was as Operations Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Three (the Little Beavers) from 2002 through 2004. During this tour he deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM with the Nimitz Strike Group and operated with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force as part of the Bi-Lateral Force for RIMPAC 04.

From 2006 through 2008 CDR Scudder served as the first Executive Officer in USS SAMPSON (DDG 102), which was commissioned in the midst of the cold, blustery and wet remnants of Hurricane Noel in Boston in November 2007.

CDR Scudder assumed command of USS THACH (FFG 43) in April 2011.

Ashore, he was a student at the Naval War College, earning a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and National Security in 2005. He most recently served as an Action Officer, Executive Assistant and National Joint Operations-Intelligence Center Policy Desk Officer for the Joint Staff, Deputy Directorate for Politico-Military Affairs Western Hemisphere, J-5 from 2008-2010.

His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal and a variety of unit and campaign medals.