Colonel Christopher B. Rust

Colonel Christopher B. Rust was born in Louvain, Belgium. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1986. After he completed The Basic School in July of 1987, Colonel Rust reported to Camp Johnson in North Carolina where he attended Financial Management Officer School.

In 1988, Colonel Rust reported to Headquarters Battalion, 3rd FSSG, Okinawa, Japan, where he assumed the duties of Assistant Disbursing Officer, Platoon Commander at Camp Hansen. During this period, Colonel Rust deployed twice to Mt. Fuji Japan, and participated in Exercise Valiant Blitz in Korea. Returning to the United States in January 1989, Colonel Rust reported to Marine Corps Depot San Diego and assumed the duties of Assistant Disbursing Officer and Platoon Commander.

In December 1989, Colonel Rust was honorably discharged from active duty and transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve. In January 1991, Colonel Rust was ordered back to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Colonel Rust’s reserve career began in 1994, when he reported and assumed the duties as an Assistant Operations Officer for 6th Motor Transport Battalion 4th FSSG, Red Bank, New Jersey. It was during this time that Colonel Rust attended Motor Transport Officer School. In 1995, he transferred to 6th Communication Battalion, 4th FSSG, Bronx, New York. There he served as Executive Officer, Headquarters Company, and Executive Officer Support Company, Brooklyn, New York. In 1998, Colonel Rust assumed the duties of Headquarters Company Commander.

In 2002, Colonel Rust transferred to 4th Civil Affairs Group, Anacostia, Washington D.C. to assume the duties of Communications Officer. In January 2003, he transferred back to 6th Communication Battalion to assume the duties of Battalion Adjutant and deploy with the unit to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

In January 2004, Colonel Rust transferred to the G-7 Readiness Group, New Orleans, Louisiana, to join the Commanding General’s Inspection Team as an Inspector and later assumed the duties as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff. In January 2007, after a successful tour, Colonel Rust was recruited to the G-7 Readiness Group, 4th Marines Division, New Orleans, Louisiana, as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff to develop a Combat Readiness Inspection Program. During this 5 ½ year period, Colonel Rust travelled throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii on a monthly basis to inspect reserve units for combat readiness.

In July 2009, Colonel Rust transferred to 6th Communication Battalion, Brooklyn, New York. There he assumed the duties of Battalion Executive Officer. In December 2010, Colonel Rust transferred to Marine Corps Mobilization Command, Reserve Support Program 3. There he assumed the duties of Officer in Charge of Group 4, Brooklyn, New York. During this period, Colonel Rust also deployed with Marine Forces Europe and the U.S. Navy to the Mediterranean Sea to support Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations.

In June 2012, Colonel Rust transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve, and in August, assumed command of New York Naval Militia Southern Command.

Colonel Rust holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and played lacrosse for Syracuse University. In addition, he holds a Masters of Business Administration from National University.

His military decorations include, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 Gold Stars in lieu of third award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, in addition to other campaign, unit, and service awards.

In civilian life, Colonel Rust is an Associate Executive Director at Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital, where he is responsible for emergency medicine, trauma, surgical services, and emergency preparedness. He is married to the former Amora Martin of San Diego, and has three children.