USS Spruance
Commanding Officer (May 2012 - Present) 
   
CDR George A. Kessler, Jr
Commanding Officer
Commander Kessler, a native of Albany, Missouri, graduated from Albany RIII High School and entered the United States Naval Academy in 1991. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and commissioned an Ensign in June of 1995.

After his commissioning, Commander Kessler served as the Main Propulsion Officer and Replenishment at Sea Officer in USS SUPPLY (AOE 6). He then reported for duty as the Navigator and Damage Control Assistant in USS CAPE ST GEORGE (CG 71) completing a Mediterranean & Arabian Gulf deployment in support of Desert Shield and Desert Fox. As a Department Head he served as the commissioning Weapons Officer in USS MUSTIN (DDG 89) and then as the Combat Systems Officer leading MUSTIN through her maiden deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following his Department Head tours, Commander Kessler was assigned to the Navy Staff in the Pentagon as the Executive Assistant to Director Strategy and Policy Division, OPNAV N5. He then transferred to the Joint Staff as part of the Joint Integrated Air & Missile Defense Organization (JIAMDO). While assigned to JIAMDO, he served temporary duty as the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program Officer in the Protection Assessment Division of the Joint Staff Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate, J8. Commander Kessler was also assigned as the Theater Missile Warning and Command, Control and Communications Branch Chief.

Commander Kessler reported to Pre-Commissioning Unit SPRUANCE (DDG 111) as the Executive Officer in January 2010. He led the ship through the new construction process, Commissioning, Combat Systems Sea Trials and Qualification (CCSQT), and Final Contract Trials. He was relieved as Executive Officer in April 2012 in preparation for the Command.

Commander Kessler holds a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He was Destroyer Squadron TWO THREE's Junior Officer Tactician of the Year for 2004. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals, , and various unit and campaign ribbons
US Navy Recruiting | No Fear Act | FOIA | USA.gov | US Navy | US Marine Corps | Navy Reserves | Individual Augmentee | Veterans Crisis Line This is an official United States Navy Website. This US Government system is subject to monitoring. Please read our Privacy Policy notice.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense, or the United States Department of the Navy of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy  does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD web site.
Share