Buss commanded the A-6 Intruder squadron, Attack Squadron 34 (U.S. Navy), VA-34, (1995–96); the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (2000–01); the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (2003–06); and Carrier Strike Group Twelve, the USS ENTERPRISE Carrier Strike Group (2009–10). He also served in Baghdad, Iraq (2008–09) as Director, Strategy/Plans/Assessments (J-5) for Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I) where he oversaw the planning effort for the initial troop drawdown from the height of the 2007-08 surge.