Captain Pete Van Hooser began his military career as a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute having served as the Regimental Commander of the Corps of Cadets. His initial commission was in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an Infantry Officer up to the company level, and as the Officer-in-Charge of the Third Marine Division’s Amphibious Raid and Counter-Guerilla Warfare School. Following that WESTPAC tour, he was assigned as Patrolling Tactics Instructor and Staff Platoon Commander for new Second Lieutenants at the Basic School, Quantico, Virginia.
Captain Van Hooser’s Naval career began with qualifications as a Surface Warfare Officer and as a Special Operations Salvage Officer aboard the USS Edenton (ATS-1). He served as the Edenton’s Special Evolutions Officer of the Deck, DCA, Operations Officer and acting Executive Officer.
Captain Van Hooser then received orders to BUD/S training class 137. His Naval Special Warfare (NSW) SEAL assignments include Operations Officer at SEAL Team 3, SEAL Team 8, Joint Special Operations Command Current Ops, NSW Special Boat Squadron 2, and the NSW Development Group. Captain Van Hooser commanded Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3; Element and Assault Team NSWDG; Special Boat Team 20; SEAL Team 4; Naval Special Warfare Group 2; and retired as the Commanding Officer NSWDG.
In 2011, Pete accepted the Freedom Foundation’s Defender of Freedom Award on behalf of NSWDG.
Pete retired with over 37 years of military service and went on to develop NSW’s Enduring Warrior Initiative to help mitigate the impact of sustained combat on the NSW community.