CDR Berkstresser, originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, is a 2005 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  CDR Berkstresser reported to NAS Pensacola for Officer Candidate School in 2007.  Following commissioning, CDR Berkstresser reported for flight training at Training Squadron TEN (VT-10).  In 2008, he reported to Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) in Jacksonville, FL for initial fleet training as a P-3C Orion Navigator/Communicator and earned his Naval Flight Officer “Wings of Gold” in December 2008.
 
CDR Berkstresser began his operational flying in August 2009 with the Golden Swordsman of Patrol Squadron FOUR SEVEN (VP-47) at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI.  During his tour with VP-47, he qualified as Navigator/Communicator, Tactical Coordinator, Mission Commander, and Instructor Tactical Coordinator and deployed to FIFTH, SIXTH, and SEVENTH Fleet areas of responsibility (AORs). 
 
In 2012, CDR Berkstresser checked into Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN (CPRW-11) as an Advanced Readiness Program (ARP) Instructor.  While there, he transitioned to the P-8A Poseidon, completed Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, instructed the first three P-8A Squadron’s Advanced Readiness Program syllabus and evaluated their performance during their Operational Readiness Evaluation.   
 
CDR Berkstresser’s next assignment was onboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT in San Diego, CA, as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer (Shooter).  He qualified as Arresting Gear Officer, Helicopter Control Officer, Waist and Bow Catapult Officer and serviced as TOP CAT.
In 2017, he reported to Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he completed his Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies degree.
 
He selected for Department Head and in 2018 joined Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1) where he served as CSD Officer, Training Officer, CTF-72 LNO and Operations Officer, and deployed to SEVENTH Fleet and SIXTH Fleet AORs.
In November 2021, following his Department Head tour, CDR Berkstresser joined NORAD and USNORTHCOM, as the J8 Maritime Program Analysis, in Colorado Springs, CO. After four months, CDR Berkstresser transitioned to be the Executive Officer for the J8 Directorate until he departed in November 2023.
 
CDR Berkstresser’s wife, Marcail, is from Fayetteville, NC. They have a daughter and a son, Aria and Jayce.