Rear Admiral Dan Kloeppel, USN (ret)

Rear Admiral Daniel L. Kloeppel, a St Louis native, was commissioned an Ensign in 1970 after completing NROTC training at Northwestern University. He was designated a naval aviator in October 1972. His first operational tour was with VA-83, flying the A-7E. Following two Mediterranean cruises with Carrier Air Wing 17 aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59), he reported to Training Squadron 21 at Naval Air Station, Kingsville, Tex., where he flew the TA-4J. In April 1977, he transitioned to the Naval Reserve with VA-2082, flying TA-4Js at Naval Air Station, New Orleans, La. In January 1979, he reported to VA-204, serving in a variety of billets until 1989. In July 1989, he reported to VA-2082 as CO until July 1990. He returned to VA-204 as XO. While at VA-204, the squadron transitioned from the A-7 to the F/A-18 and, subsequently, he served as CO of VFA 204 until July 1992. After serving in New Orleans for over 15 years, he reported in July 1992 to USS George Washington (CVN-73) Reserve Augment Unit 0183 in Olathe, Kans., where he served as CO. His next tour was as CO, Navy Element, Joint Transportation Reserve Unit, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott AFB, Ill. Returning to New Orleans, he became Deputy for Readiness, Readiness Command Region 10. His first Flag assignment was Deputy Commander, Maritime Defense Zone Pacific, Alameda, Calif. He was Deputy Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific in San Diego, Calif. As a collateral duty, he was assigned as Commander, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region Mid-South, Millington, Tenn. RADM Kloeppel was then assigned to Pensacola, Fla., where he was the Deputy for Training Integration, Chief of Naval Education and Training. He then became the Deputy Commander, Third Fleet in San Diego Ca. His last Navy assignment was as the Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve and Vice Commander, Naval Reserve Forces Command. RADM Kloeppel has served in the following active duty flag billets: Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force, Southwest Asia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Commander, Iceland Defense Force, Keflavik, Iceland; Director, Plans and Policy, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott AFB; Commander, Naval Strike Air Warfare Center, Fallon, Nev, Vice Chief of Naval Education and Training, in Pensacola; and as Commander, Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), and various other unit and campaign awards. He is a graduate of Executive and Reserve Component programs at the Naval War College, Naval Postgraduate School, National Defense University, and Harvard University. RADM Kloeppel retired as a commercial pilot, serving with Ozark, Trans World and American Airlines. He accumulated over 30,000 hours of flight time. RADM Kloeppel is currently The CEO of VetJobs.org and Military Spouse Jobs.org. He’s a member of The Navy League, Military Officers Association, The Association of the US Navy, Reserve Officer’s Association, and the Association of Naval Aviation. He is a Board Member Emeritus of the Phi Delta Theta Foundation.