A native of Bakersfield, California, Cmdr. Douglas Kettler graduated with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2010 earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Kettler commissioned through the UCLA Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps where he worked prior to reporting for initial flight training in 2011. While at Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, FL, Kettler was selected for the first P-8A Poseidon Fleet Replacement Squadron class prior to earning his Naval Flight Officer Wings in April 2013.

Kettler’s first sea assignment was with VP-16 aboard NAS Jacksonville, Florida, from July 2013 to February 2016. While with the “War Eagles,” he completed two operational deployments to the SEVENTH Fleet area of responsibility, including the first-ever P-8A operational deployment, and qualified as a Patrol Plane Tactical Coordinator, Patrol Plane Mission Commander, Patrol Plane Instructor Tactical Coordinator, and Assistant NATOPS Instructor.

Kettler’s first shore assignment was with the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School, where he earned his Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor, and Instructor Under Training Instructor qualifications and served as the Training Department Head. He also completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I and earned with honors a Master of Science degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.

In February 2019, Kettler reported to VP-10 as the “Lancers’” Squadron Maritime Tactics Instructor. He completed his third operational deployment to SEVENTH Fleet in 2020, where he served as Task Group Operations Officer and detachment Officer in Charge during the initial outbreak of COVID-19. He also served as the Tactics and Training Department Head. 

Kettler next reported to VP-40 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, as a Department Head in March 2021. He served as the Tactics Officer, Administrative Officer, Training Officer, and Operations Officer. During the “Fighting Marlins’” first P-8A deployment to SIXTH Fleet in 2021, he served as Officer in Charge of the squadron’s detachment to Iceland. Kettler next served as VP-40 Operations Officer during the squadron’s 2022-23 split-site FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet deployment.

 In June 2023, Kettler reported to the U.S. Naval War College where he completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase II and graduated with high honors, earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Maritime History.

Kettler has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in the P-8A Poseidon conducting anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and anti-surface warfare missions around the world. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and other unit and service ribbons.
 

Last Updated: 4 June 2025