Vice Adm. Fred W. Kacher is a native of Oakton, Virginia and graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy in 1990 with a degree in English. He holds a master’s degree in Public Policy with a concentration in International Relations from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

A career Surface Warfare Officer, Kacher has served primarily on cruisers and destroyers, deploying multiple times as part of both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. At sea, he most recently served as commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Seven forward deployed to the Western Pacific, executing four at sea patrols with AMERICA Strike Group. Previously, he served as commodore of Destroyer Squadron SEVEN forward deployed to Southeast Asia. Additionally, he served as the first commanding officer of USS STOCKDALE (DDG 106) and executive officer on USS BARRY (DDG 52), which was selected for the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy as the most improved ship in the Atlantic Fleet.

Kacher most recently served as the Acting Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.  His other flag assignments include Vice Director for Operations on the Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy, N3/N5B, and executive officer to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command (EUCOM).

Other shore and staff assignments include serving as chief of staff to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and as lead speechwriter to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 2006, he was selected as a White House Fellow serving on the Homeland Security Council at the White House.  He assumed duties as Commander, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet in February 2024.

Kacher holds various individual and unit awards including multiple Battle Efficiency Awards earned by the crews he was honored to serve alongside. In 2005, Kacher was selected for the Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Award for visionary leadership after being nominated by members of USS BARRY crew, and in 2015 he was named as the recipient of the U.S. Navy League’s John Paul Jones Inspirational Leadership Award during his command of Destroyer Squadron SEVEN. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, he is author of the book, Newly Commissioned Naval Officer’s Guide and co-author of the book, Naval Officer’s Guide to the Pentagon and the seventh edition of Command at Sea (U.S. Naval Institute Press).

Last Updated: 14 February 2024