Lt. Col. David Kramer was born in Moline, Ill. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, and proceeded to Fort Rucker for initial entry rotary wing training in the UH-1 Huey. After graduating from flight school as an AH-1F Cobra pilot, he reported to Korea in November 1993, and was assigned to 1-2 Aviation Regiment (Attack) (2d Infantry Division). There he served as an attack platoon leader in B Company and then as a battalion assistant S3 operations officer. In 1995 he received an Apache AH-64A transition en route to Fort Bragg, where he assumed the attack platoon leader position in A Company, 1-229th Aviation Regiment (Attack), Tigersharks (229th Attack Helicopter Regiment, 18th Airborne Corps). He then served as the battalion assistant S3. In that position, he served as the 229th Regiment movement officer, battalion battle captain in Bosnia, and completed the 82d Airborne Jumpmaster Course.

After graduating the Aviation Officer Advanced Course at Fort Rucker and the Combined Arms Services Staff School at Fort Leavenworth in 1998, he was assigned to 2-101 Aviation Regiment (Attack), Eagle Warrior, at Fort Campbell (101st Airborne Division). As the battalion’s S4 logistics officer, he completed the AH-64D Longbow course at Boeing in Mesa, Ariz., and deployed the battalion for the Unit Fielding and Training Program at Fort Hood. Immediately after redeploying from Fort Hood to Fort Campbell, he took command of A Company in November 1999, and led the unit until August 2001.
In September 2001, Kramer reported to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin (Operations Group). There he served as an attack/cavalry and S3/operations observer/controller for three years prior to completing the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth in 2004-2005. While at CGSC, he also completed a Master of Science degree in administration (leadership) from Central Michigan University.

In June 2005, Kramer reported to Fort Campbell again (101st Airborne Division), this time as the battalion S3 for 1-101 Aviation Regiment (Attack), Expect No Mercy, and immediately deployed with the unit to Iraq (OIF IV) in September 2005. While deployed to OIF, he served as battalion S3 at Contingency Operating Base Speicher (Tikrit), and then as an executive officer and S3 for a multifunctional battalion task force at Forward Operating Base Sykes (Tal’Afar). After redeployment to Fort Campbell in August 2006, he supervised the battalion’s initial reset of personnel and equipment as the battalion XO. In December 2006, Kramer assumed the duties as the S3, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. After 12 months of pre-deployment training, he deployed to Afghanistan (OEF IX) in January 2008 with the brigade as four multifunctional aviation battalion task forces, an aviation support battalion, a military intelligence battalion task force, a provisional fixed wing battalion, and an unmanned aerial system company.

In June 2008, Kramer was assigned to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) ROTC department as the professor of military science, where he trained 130 cadets for two years (U.S. Army Cadet Command). He then assumed command of 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment (1-10 Avn Regt Attack), Tigersharks, at Fort Drum in 2010 (10th Mountain Division). Kramer deployed to OEF XI as Commander of Task Force Tigershark at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan. He integrated a headquarters attack company (8XAH64D), cavalry troop (8XOH58D), assault company (7XUH60L), medium lift company (8XCH47D), MEDEVAC detachment (3XUH60), aviation unit maintenance company, forward support company and 33 helicopters into the task force for combat operations. In this capacity, he led 480 soldiers and 40 contractors while deployed.

In 2012, Kramer was assigned to the J3 Directorate, Joint Functional Component Command SPACE (US STRATEGIC FORCES COMMAND), where he is the current chief of the Missile Warning Division at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Kramer’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Air Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal (Second Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3 Campaign Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), NATO Medal (Bosnia and Afghanistan), Combat Action Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Sapper Tab, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Kramer is married to the former Sandra Scarone, and they have one 16-year-old son, Joshua.