Kyle Cozad

Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, a native of Las Vegas, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography and Physics. He earned a Master of Science in National Resource Management, graduating with distinction, from the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School, formerly the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He also attended the Navy Corporate Business Course at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Cozad’s operational Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) tours span all four MPR sites, including Patrol Squadron (VP) 23, Brunswick, Maine; VP-9, Barbers Point and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; command of VP-40, Whidbey Island, Washington; and command of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, Jacksonville, Florida. Cozad has served extensively as an instructor pilot in multiple operational tours and completed two tours with VP-30, the P-3 Fleet Replacement Squadron and one with the Canadian Air Force’s 404 Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, as a CP-140 exchange instructor pilot.

His shore tours include Navy Personnel Command as aviation commander and captain detailer; commanding officer, staff enlisted personnel; and executive assistant to the commander. He served as the 22nd senior director of the White House Situation Room and as a chief of naval operations (CNO) fellow on the CNO’s Strategic Studies Group (XXXII).

As a flag officer, Cozad has previously been assigned as vice deputy director, Regional, Force Management and Future Operations (J-35), The Joint Staff in Norfolk, Virginia; commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo; and commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group and Patrol and Reconnaissance Group Pacific in Norfolk.

Cozad became the 19th commander of the Naval Education and Training Command July 20, 2017.

His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards). He received the Admiral William F. Bringle Award for inspirational leadership during his tour as a flight deck officer and catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).