Rear Adm. Robert Gerstemeier is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. He holds a master’s degree in business administration with honors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Command and Staff diploma with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College, and completed the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College.
Designated a naval flight officer in the ES-3A Shadow, Gerstemeier served with the “Sea Shadows” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 5 in San Diego, operating aboard USS Independence (CV 62), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Constellation (CV 64), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
After affiliating with the Navy Reserve in Chicago, he served as administrative officer and later executive officer of Carrier Support Unit 1169, and as executive officer of the Naval Station Rota, Spain, unit. His command tours include Naval Security Force units in New Orleans and Crane, Indiana; Fire and Emergency Services/Air Operations in Naples, Italy; the U.S. Strategic Command unit at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency; NATO Allied Command Transformation; reserve chief of staff for U.S. Second Fleet; and the Commander, Navy Installations Command Headquarters unit.
His staff and joint assignments include action officer in the Pentagon’s Office of Interagency Coordination; executive officer of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Paktika Province, Afghanistan; assessments analyst in the J8 Directorate of U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii; and Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (NEPLO).
Gerstemeier is a Joint Qualified Officer and NATO staff officer. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards) and Joint Service Achievement Medal.
Last Updated: 6 October 2026
Source: www.navy.mil
