VT-31 Leadership

Commanding Officer

Cmdr. Robert P. "Shooter" Stochel, a native of Crown Point, Indiana, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with Bachelor of Science in history in 2004.

Stochel earned his Wings of Gold in September 2006 and after completing his E- 2C initial training, reported to the "Liberty Bells" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan. He served as the ground safety officer, schedules officer, assistant training officer, aircraft division officer, and Pilot Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) officer. During this tour, he deployed multiple times on board USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) area of responsibility (AOR) encompassing multiple multi-national and joint exercises. In 2010, the "Liberty Bells" earned the coveted Battle "E" Award.

In February 2011, Stochel joined the "Greyhawks" of Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) VAW-120 in Norfolk, Virginia, as an instructor pilot. In addition to his normal duties, Stochel was temporarily assigned to the "Pioneers" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-1) as a trusted agent for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. After completion of IOT&E, he was assigned as VAW-120's E-2D NATOPS and program manager, leading the first E-2D operational squadron and FRS Category 1 students through their platform transition and carrier qualifications.

Following instructor duty in February 2014, Stochel reported to the "Black Eagles" of VAW-113 at Point Mugu, California, serving as the pilot training officer, assistant operations officer, and quality assurance officer deployed on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Third Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Stochel then reported to the "Screwtops" of VAW-123 for his department head tour in December 2015 and served as the administrative officer, maintenance officer, and operations officer. While attached to the "Screwtops," he deployed to the Sixth and Fifth Fleet AORs participating in Operation Inherent Resolve, deployed on board USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) with the squadron winning back-to-back Battle "E" awards in 2016 and 2017.

In July 2018, Stochel reported to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating with a master's degree in national security and strategic studies while enrolled in the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS), earning a joint planner qualification.

In October 2019, Stochel reported to U.S. Fleet Forces Command, N53 Future Plans branch as the U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH) Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Planner and Naval Forces Strategic Command (NAVSTRAT) planner where he developed comprehensive war plans, operations, and contingency operations in support of globally integrated operations and COVID-19 pandemic response.

Stochel has accumulated over 4,150 hours with 3,000 hours in the E-2 Hawkeye has logged over 780 left and right seat carrier arrested landings including multiple Air Wing "Top Hook" and "Top 10" awards. Additionally, he has been published in the Navy Safety Command's Approach magazine, NAWDC classified journal, and in the U.S. Naval Institute's "Proceedings" magazine. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (2), and other individual, unit, and campaign awards.

Stochel currently serves as the commanding officer of the "Wise Owls" of Training Squadron (VT) 31 in Corpus Christi, Texas.