Executive Officer

Capt. James A. Ketzler

Executive Officer, U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Guantanamo Bay

Hailing from Boerne, Texas, Capt. James A. Ketzler enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1995.  After attending boot camp, he completed Nuclear Field ‘A’ School as an Electricians Mate Third Class and graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School in 1996. He was later selected from the fleet to receive a 4-year NROTC scholarship. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Jacksonville University and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps in 2002. He went on to earn his Master’s in Health Administration from Baylor University in 2015, and was awarded a graduate diploma from the Naval War College in 2020 for completion of Joint Professional Military Education Phase I. 

From 2002 to 2013, Ketzler served in a variety of clinical, administrative and leadership roles.  His postings included Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), Virginia, U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, where he practiced nursing in medical-surgical, emergency, pediatric, orthopedic and general surgery units. He would go on to lead as a clinic business manager and inpatient multi-service ward department head at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, California. He deployed with Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay in 2007 and as an Individual Augmentee to Camp Bastion Role III Trauma Hospital, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2011.  

In 2013 Ketzler was selected for Duty Under Instruction and attended the Army-Baylor Master of Health Administration program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. There, he completed a one-year administrative residency with the Baptist Health System, a member of the Tenet Healthcare Corporation.  He served as the lead project manager for the implementation and marketing of a nursing care model specializing in inpatient acute care for the geriatric population. His efforts resulted in Northeast Baptist Hospital, San Antonio, Texas, receiving national accreditation as a Nurses Improving Care for Health system Elders designated site.  In 2015, he was assigned as Business Manager for the Directorate of Surgical Services at NMCP.  He concurrently served as the Division Officer, Casualty Receiving aboard the USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and notably led his division during a 72-hour rapid mobilization in response to Hurricane Matthew in 2016.  After reporting to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, in 2018, he led a team of 1,146 personnel as the Deputy Director,  Surgical Services and provided oversight of a $237 M directorate budget.  In 2022, he reported to Navy Medicine Training Support Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and was appointed as the Director for Operations and Chief Nursing Officer. While there he was directly responsible for the innovative implementation of a first of its kind Hometown Area Recruiting Program for new accession Sailors in 2023.   

In 2024, Ketzler reported aboard U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he currently serves as the Executive Officer.    

Ketzler is board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  He holds additional certification as a Nurse Executive through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  His personal military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (third award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), and Navy Good Conduct Medal.