Rear Admiral Daniel Ettlich is a native of Cameron Park, California and a 1994 graduate of the University of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School. He also holds master’s degrees from the University of Arizona in Business Administration and from the Naval Postgraduate School in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

At sea, he served as a division officer onboard USS Alaska (SSBN 732 Blue) and as material officer at Commander, Submarine Squadron Eleven.

Following selection as an engineering duty officer, Ettlich served as a docking officer and project officer at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility; planning officer at the Trident Refit Facility in Bangor, WA; deputy director of submarine safety at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA); business and strategic planning officer and operations officer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility; and military deputy for shipyard operations at NAVSEA.

Ettlich was selected as the 86th commander of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where the command earned the Department of Defense Robert T. Mason Award for Excellence in Depot Maintenance. Ettlich reported as the director, Fleet Maintenance, U.S. Pacific Fleet in February 2022, where he is currently serving.

Throughout his career, he was a member of teams that earned the Presidential Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation and various campaign awards.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal.

Last Updated: 13 January 2025