Dustin L. Wallace is a native of San Antonio, TX, but considers Virginia Beach, VA his home. Wallace graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and received a B.S. in Marine Engineering Systems. Upon graduation in June 2006, he was commissioned as Ensign, United States Navy (U.S. Navy) and was awarded the United States Coast Guard (USCG) 3rd Assistant Engineer Merchant Marine License. In December 2011, Wallace earned a Graduate Certificate with the Air Force Institute of Technology in Space Studies. In December 2016, Wallace earned a Masters of Science in Aeronautics, with a Space Studies concentration from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

His U.S. Navy Reserve career as a Strategic Sealift Officer include assignments worldwide, as Assistant Port Engineer, Assistant SSO Operations OIC, and Engineering Assessment Officer. In 2013, Wallace volunteered for mobilization to Afghanistan where he served as an Operations Officer with the Defense Contract Management Agency. He directed over 800 ground and air movements of approximately 70 members of DCMA with zero casualties. Mr. Wallace is also a Tactical Advisor and has advised ships’ captains in military cargo transport missions spanning from the Middle East to Pacific Ocean. Wallace is also a member of the U.S. Navy’s Space Cadre, a horizontally integrated organization of officers and enlisted personnel to provide “space smarts” to respective organizations.

Throughout his civilian career, Wallace has served in various assistant engineer positions worldwide, supporting U.S. Navy, Allied, and Civilian Commercial entities. His operational expertise led Wallace to be chosen and complete Project PoSSUM’s Scientist-Astronaut Candidate Program in April 2016. In December 2017, Wallace joined Association of Spaceflight Professionals to further space-related research opportunities. In January 2019, Wallace was selected as member of NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), to complete a 45-day isolation study simulating a mission to Mars’s Moon Phobos. Wallace is currently part of the U.S. Navy’s Port Engineer program and serves the USS Tortuga (LSD-46).

Among his military decorations, Wallace has has received the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement, DOT Outstanding Unit Award, Royal Laotian Airborne Wings, and various other service medals and ribbons. Wallace currently holds the USCG Chief Engineer Steam License as well as 1st Assistant Engineer Gas Turbine and Diesel License. Dustin Wallace is currently a Commander in the U.S. Navy.