Second Lieutenant Kraft was commissioned in 2006 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. Upon completion of The Basic School in 2007, he reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 located in Pensacola Florida to begin Naval Flight Training. In 2009, he reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron, Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164 located in MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
Following designation as a CH-46E pilot in 2009, First Lieutenant Kraft was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (HMM-163) MCAS Miramar, California. In 2011, he deployed as part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Air Combat Element in support of WESTPAC 11-1 serving as a unit Logistics Officer and pilot. Following the deployment, HMM-163 began a transition from the CH-46E to the MV-22. Captain Kraft was reassigned to MAG-16 where he acted as the Personnel Support Detachment Executive Officer.
In 2012, he executed orders to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 in Cherry Point, North Carolina. After completing the Unmanned Aircraft Commanders (UAC) course, he served as an RQ-7B UAC and squadron logistics officer. In 2013, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as the Executive and Operations Officer for VMU-2 Detachment (Forward) in support of OEF 13.2 and 14.1. Upon return, he worked as the squadron’s Aviation Safety Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization.
In 2015, he reported to resident Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia. Following completion in 2016, he was selected as an exchange officer and executed orders to 700X Naval Air Squadron, located on Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Major Kraft acted as the squadron’s Operations Officer supporting joint and multinational exploration of small UAS capability.
In 2019, Major Kraft reported to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer.
In 2022, he was selected to attend the School of Advanced Military Studies in Fort Leavenworth, KS where he completed the US Army’s Advance Military Studies Program. In 2023, LtCol Kraft reported to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, 2D Marine Aircraft Wing and served as the G-3 Plans Officer.
LtCol Kraft holds a graduate certificate from Naval Postgraduate School and Master’s degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies. He is also designated as a Regional Affairs Officer-Europe.
LtCol Kraft’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four gold stars in lieu of fifth award.