Dave Kelm assumed command of Empire Battalion on October 22, 2022. A native of Pennsylvania, Kelm earned his commission in 2005 and transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve in 2013.

Kelm has served in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Marine Divisions as a battalion S-3 operations officer, battalion S-3 assistant operations officer, division G-3 assistant training officer, headquarters and service company commander, rifle company commander, rifle company executive officer, and rifle platoon commander. He led Marines and Sailors in combat during four deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Outside of the Fleet Marine Force, Kelm served with NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan CJ-34, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, the Joint Staff J-35, U.S. Africa Command J-5, and the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Staff Training Program. He earned additional military specialties in foreign and regional affairs, foreign security force advising, and information maneuver.

Kelm holds a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.A. from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.