CDR Nicholas J. Schnettler

Chief Staff Officer, Tactical Air Control Group ONE (CTG 1)

09 January 2024 A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Commander Nicholas “TRON” Schnettler is a graduate of Purdue University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. Commissioned through the Purdue University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in May 2004, he remained at Purdue to complete his Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He also graduated from the U.S. Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School (SEAWOLF) in 2012 and completed a Master’s Certificate in Cyber Security from The Naval Postgraduate School in 2021.

Schnettler’s operational flying assignments include tours with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO TWO (HSC-22), HSC-28, and HSC-5. He completed deployments on USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Freedom (LCS 1), USS Wasp (LHD 1), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

His ashore assignments include a flight instructor tour with Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic (HSCWSL) and a staff tour on the Joint Staff where he served as Assistant Deputy Director for Operations and Presidential Strike Advisor for National Military Command Center (NMCC) Operations Team FOUR.

Most recently, he commanded Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific (HSCWSP). Schnettler has accumulated more than 2,700 flight hours in 6 different aircraft. He was recognized as 2014 Instructor Pilot of the Year by National Helicopter Association Region Four and 2018 Pilot of the Year by HSC-5.

His decorations include the Sikorsky Rescue Award, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and multiple joint, unit, and campaign awards.

Schnettler began serving as Chief Staff Officer for Commander, Tactical Air Control Group ONE (CTG-1) in January 2024.