Capt. Jeffrey D. Betz
Commanding Officer, USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29)
09 June 2025
Captain Betz is a native of Ohio and graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 2001 with a degree in Political Science. He was commissioned through the university's Naval ROTC unit. He holds a Master’s degree in Regional Studies from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he earned the Louis D. Liskin Award for Excellence in Regional Studies.
During his first afloat assignment aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) he served as the Repair Division Officer and the Machinery Division Officer. In 2002, the crew of Harpers Ferry conducted a hull swap with the Sasebo, Japan based USS Germantown (LSD-42). Aboard USS Germantown (LSD-52) he served as the Machinery Division Officer and later as the Electrical Officer. The ship deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the fall of 2003. In 2004, he served onboard Pre-Commissioning Unit USS Nitze (DDG-94) in Bath, Maine as the Strike Officer. He later served as the Weapons Officer.
As a Department Head he served as the Combat Systems Officer onboard USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) from 2010 to 2011. USS Kearsarge deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. USS Kearsarge was activated as the Task Force Commander for Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya. He was then assigned to Destroyer Squadron Twenty Two, where he served as the Staff Director from 2011 to 2013 and deployed as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.
During his tour as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), he deployed in support of UNITAS 2018 and Exercise Trident Juncture 2018. After completing an extensive yard period and the Basic Phase, Gunston Hall received the 2021 “Battle E” award.
Ashore, he served at US Naval Forces Central Command/US 5th Fleet staff in Manama, Bahrain from 2006 to 2007. From 2013 to 2015 he served as the Flag Aide to the Deputy Commander at US Fleet Forces Command. He served at the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence, a NATO sponsored think-tank attached to the USFF staff. Before taking command of the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) he served as the Director for Surface Warfare Fleet Engineering School and subsequently, as the Commanding Officer of the Mariner Skills Training Center Atlantic.
His personal awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Navy Achievement Medal (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) and a Navy Unit Commendation.