Commander Cummins graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy.
His initial sea assignment was as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer in USS KLAKRING (FFG 42).  Upon completion of his first division officer tour he reported to USS CARNEY (DDG 64) as Training Officer.  After completing his first sea tours he reported to his initial shore assignment at the Naval Postgraduate School where he received a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics and completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I. 
 
Following his shore assignment, CDR Cummins attended Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island in 2007.  Upon completion, he reported to the USS HIGGINS (DDG 76) as the Weapons Officer and follow on tour as Combat Systems Officer.  
 
After his department head tours, Lieutenant Commander Cummins completed staff tours at the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific as the lead Combat Systems Inspector for the TYCOM Material Inspection Team and READ-E 6 Action Officer and on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as the ballistic missile defense policy action officer in the N51 strategy and policy directorate. His most recent shore assignment was as Political Military Action Officer for Israel, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan at the Joint Staff, J-5, Deputy Directorate for the Middle East.    
 
Following his Joint Staff tour, CDR Cummins completed the prospective Executive Officer training pipeline in October of 2018 and reported as Executive Officer in USS MAHAN (DDG 72). CDR Cummins assumed command of MAHAN on 19 August 2020.