Vice Admiral Dorsett graduated from Jacksonville University (Florida) in 1978. His sea duty included assignments on HMS Gavinton (M1140), USS Elliott (DD 967), USS Oldendorf (DD-972), USS Dominant (MSO-431), USS Ranger (CV 61), deputy assistant chief of staff for Intelligence for commander 6th Fleet, and assistant chief of staff for Intelligence for commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / 5th Fleet.
His shore assignments included duty at Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Center commander in chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, the U.S. Naval War College, chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Intelligence Plot, the Office of Naval Intelligence, and command of the Joint Intelligence Center, U.S. Central Command.
As a flag officer, Dorsett has served as director of Intelligence (J2), U.S. Pacific Command; director for Intelligence (J2), U.S. Joint Staff; and director of Naval Intelligence (N2), CNO. In November 2009, he assumed office as the first deputy chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (N2/N6).