A native of Littleton, Colorado, Commander Rychecky graduated from and commissioned by the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2008, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering Systems. CDR Rychecky reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in October 2008. He earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings in November 2010. In December 2010, CDR Rychecky reported to the VAQ-129 “Vikings” for initial fleet training as an EA-18G Electronic Warfare Officer. 

CDR Rychecky began his operational flying in February 2012 with the “Black Ravens” of VAQ-135.  While a “Black Raven”, he made two expeditionary deployments.  The first deployment was to Bagram, Afghanistan for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and response options for Benghazi. The second deployment was to Misawa, Japan and various other locations in the INDOPACOM region. Following that tour CDR Rychecky attended and graduated from the Growler Tactics Instructor course at the Naval Warfare Development Center (NAWDC).

CDR Rychecky reported to the Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) in December 2015 and instructed Electronic Attack Squadrons as they went through their Advanced Readiness Program. CDR Rychecky was also assigned the duties of Growler Weapons and Tactics Program Coordinator in which he oversaw the certification of every Growler Mission Commander (ACTC Level 3).

CDR Rychecky returned to the fleet in December 2018 as a Training Officer in VAQ-137, the “Rooks”. He made a single deployment with the “Rooks” aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) to the Arabian Sea and flew missions into Afghanistan. In the middle of that deployment CDR Rychecky left the “Rooks” to become a Department Head for VAQ-134, the “Garudas”; who were also on deployment to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. CDR Rychecky would make one more deployment with the “Garudas” to Spangdahlem, Germany as a response option to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marking the first time a Growler squadron was stationed in Europe. CDR Rychecky was one of two Navy aircrew to receive an Air Force Mission Commander qualification during Red Flag Nellis 22-1.

Following his department head tour, CDR Rychecky served as the VAQ Readiness Officer and Flying Hour Manager on the Air Boss’s staff, in the N40 Directorate. While on the Air Boss’s Staff, he directly supported the Pacific Fleet by distributing flight hours and fuel funds to squadrons. He was selected for operational command in March 2024 and is scheduled to report to VAQ-136 as Executive Officer in May 2025.

CDR Rychecky has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours in 7 aircraft and 58 carrier arrested landings, including 37 combat missions. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards) and various service awards and ribbons.