Colonel Kaiser enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1993, serving as a Pararescueman and participating in multiple deployments in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and NASA’s space shuttle program.
After completing his enlistment, Col Kaiser was commissioned through the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Course (OCC) in 2002. He received his Aviator’s wings and completed CH-46E pilot training in 2004. He served with the “Fighting Griffins” of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 until transitioning to the MV-22B Osprey in 2006.
As a MV-22B pilot, Col Kaiser served in numerous Marine aviation units including VMM-266, VMM-163 “Evil Eyes,” VMM-262 “Flying Tigers,” as well as the “Blackbirds” of the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, FL as the first Marine Corps V-22 Exchange Pilot with the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
Col Kaiser’s Fleet Marine Forces deployments include four to Central Command in support of Operation’s IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE, one to Africa Command in support of Operation’s ODYSSEY DAWN and UNIFIED PROTECTOR, and multiple deployments with AFSOC in support of U.S. Special Operations Command in the CENTCOM and AFRICOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). Additionally, Col Kaiser deployed with the 26th and 31st Marine Expeditionary Units.
Col Kaiser earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, San Diego. Additionally, he earned a Master of Military Studies degree from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Col Kaiser is a graduate of the Marine Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course. He served on the staff at Marine Air Group (MAG) 36 as the Operations Officer, and served jointly on the J-5 staff at NORAD and USNORTHCOM at Peterson SFB, CO.
Col Kaiser’s last command billet was the Commanding Officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 “Purple Foxes,” at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Col Kaiser’s previous billet was the Chief of Operations (CHOPS) of the NORAD and USNORTHCOM Joint Operations Center (JOC).
Col Kaiser accumulated over 3,300 mishap-free flight hours in the CH-46E, CV-22B, and MV-22B. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two gold stars in lieu of third award), Air Medal (Strike/Flight) with Numeral 11, Air Medal (Individual Action) with bronze star, Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Staff Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), Air Force Achievement Medal (oak leaf cluster in lieu of second award), and Air Force Good Conduct Medal.