CAMERON PARK, Calif. — Rear Admiral Daniel W. Ettlich, a native of Cameron Park, has ascended through the ranks of the U.S. Navy, exemplifying dedication and leadership throughout his distinguished career.
Early Life and Education
Born in Oregon and raised near Sacramento, Ettlich’s journey began in February 1993 when he joined the Navy through the Nuclear Power Officer Candidate program while attending the University of San Diego (USD). He graduated from USD in June 1994 with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in September 1994. He furthered his education with master’s degrees from the University of Arizona in Business Administration and from the Naval Postgraduate School in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Naval Career
Ettlich’s career is marked by a series of pivotal assignments:
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Planning Officer (2006-2009): At the Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility Pacific Northwest in Bangor, Washington, he oversaw maintenance planning.
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Deployment to Iraq (2008): He completed an eight-month augmentation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Baghdad, managing reconstruction projects.
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Repair and Logistics Officer (2009-2011): Serving at Commander, Submarine Squadron ELEVEN in San Diego, Ettlich ensured operational readiness.
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Director of Submarine Safety (2011-2014): At the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), he led the SUBSAFE and Quality Assurance programs.
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Operations Officer (2014-2017): At Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, he directed operations.
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Military Deputy for Shipyard Operations (2017-2019): In Washington, D.C., he contributed to strategic shipyard initiatives.
Command at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
In August 2019, Ettlich became the 86th commander of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. During his tenure, he adeptly navigated challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the shipyard met critical submarine maintenance milestones. Notably, under his leadership, the USS California (SSN 781) underwent the fastest availability of its kind, the USS Newport News (SSN 750) was delivered on time, and the USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returned to the fleet ahead of schedule.
Current Role
Following his command at Portsmouth, Ettlich was appointed as the Director of Fleet Maintenance at U.S. Pacific Fleet, where he oversees maintenance operations critical to fleet readiness.
Recognition
Rear Adm. Ettlich’s exemplary service has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Rear Adm. Daniel W. Ettlich’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence, bringing pride to Cameron Park and serving as an inspiration to those aspiring to serve.
