Lieutenant Colonel Kratzer recently completed the U.S. Army War College resident education program where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.
Lieutenant Colonel Kratzer graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 2004 and accepted a reserve commission in 2008. Following completion of Field Artillery Officer Basic School, he reported to 3d Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. His company grade billets include Headquarters Platoon Commander, Fire Direction Officer, Battery Liaison Officer, Guns Platoon Commander, and Battery Executive Officer. He also served as Executive Officer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines.
Lieutenant Colonel Kratzer commanded Battery I, 3/14 in 2015 and Battery G, 3/14 from 2016 to 2018, where he led Marines in support of USAFRICOM through multiple rotations of Theater Security Cooperation Exercise AFRICAN LION. His staff assignments include Assistant Operations Officer and Battalion Operations Officer, 3/14; Battalion Executive Officer, 5/14; and Current Operations Officer, Marine Corps Crisis Action Team, PP&O HQMC. In 2013, he competed on the 4th Marine Division Marksmanship Team where he medaled in the Division match and competed in the Marine Corps Championship.
Lieutenant Colonel Kratzer’s joint experience includes a tour as a Joint Planner, Joint Planning Support Element, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, USTRANSCOM. He supported joint task force headquarters formation planning for I MEF, II MEF, and 3d Marine Division. In 2024, he mobilized to provide targeting and operational planning support for USCENTCOM Operations POSEIDEN ARCHER and MIDNIGHT HAMMER. In 2025, he mobilized in support of 10th Mountain Division’s formation of Joint Task Force-Southern Border, leading operational planning to reestablish territorial integrity of the United States.
He is a graduate of resident Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he earned the Space Operations Staff Officer MOS, and several joint and NATO courses. His research on reserve policy making at the Army War College earned the Military Officers Association of America strategic writing award. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
Lieutenant Colonel Kratzer is a financial planner and has served on multiple non-profit boards focused on early childhood development and veteran initiatives.