Rear Adm. Kertreck V. Brooks is a native of Mount Pleasant, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Saint Louis University in 1995 and a Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2004. He entered the Navy through the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program in October 1994 and was commissioned in December 1995 upon completion of Officer Candidate School. He was designated as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in May 1997 and later as a Navy Human Resources Officer in May 2008.
His operational assignments include duty with the “Ironmen” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Three (VQ) 3 where he completed numerous strategic alert detachments throughout the Western U.S. and Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, he completed a tour aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer deploying in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the Training Officer during a Western Pacific deployment.
Assignments to shore and staff billets include two tours at the 562nd Flying Training Squadron as an Instructor Navigator, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command as the Assistant Officer in Charge of the Manpower and Personnel (N1) Individual Augmentation Cell, U.S. Transportation Command as a Division Chief in the Manpower and Personnel Directorate (J1), Recruit Training Command as the Executive Officer, Navy Personnel Command as Deputy Director of the Distribution Management Division (PERS-45), Naval Service Training Command as Director of Operations and Chief of Staff, and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Personnel, Manpower, and Training staff as the Transformation Integration Branch Head (OPNAV N16).
His previous command assignments include Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center and Recruit Training Command, the Navy’s only boot camp. He also completed a career broadening assignment at LinkedIn serving in the Global Talent Organization as a Secretary of the Navy Tours with Industry Fellow.
Rear Adm. Brooks accumulated over 2,600 flight hours as a NFO in the T-34C, T-43A, E-6A, and E-6B and was recognized as the 562nd Flying Training Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Year in 2001 and Flight Commander of the Year in 2002. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (three awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Air and Space Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Air and Space Achievement Medal.