Leadership

Captain George A. Kessler, Jr.

Commodore, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Capt. Kessler, a native of Albany, Missouri, received his Bachelor of Science and earned his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1995. In addition, he holds a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, is a 2009 graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, and was a 2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow.

Mr. Brian Deters

Executive Director, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Mr. Brian Deters enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an operations specialist in August 1982. He was commissioned as a surface operations limited duty officer in June 1994 and retired from the Navy in September 2004 after 22 years of active naval service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo College.

Commander Courtney P. Taft

Executive Officer, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Cmdr. Taft is a native of Dayton, Ohio. She graduated in 1999 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and received her commission as an ensign through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. She completed her Joint Professional Military Education training at the Naval War College while earning her Master of Management and Human Resource from Salve Regina University in 2007.

Command Master Chief Steven R. Cosgrove

Command Master Chief, Surface Combat Systems Training Command

Command Master Chief Steven Cosgrove hails from Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania and graduated from Pen Argyl High School. He enlisted in the Navy in February 1993 and attended Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, followed by Fire Controlman "A" School. He is a graduate of the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course Class 138 and Senior Enlisted Academy Class 185.