Lieutenant Kjell Rommerdahl is a native of Niceville, Florida. He is a 1999 graduate of the Naval Academy Preparatory School, and in May 2003 he graduated from the Coast Guard Academy, where he earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Government. He has the distinction of the first Academy graduate to have two career enlisted Coast Guardsmen as parents. 

Lieutenant Rommerdahl’s first afloat assignment was in USCGC Vigorous (WMEC 627) where he served as a Deck Watch Officer and First Lieutenant. In 2005, he was assigned as Operations Officer in USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309), forward deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following the successful completion of his one year deployment, Lieutenant Rommerdahl was assigned as Executive Officer in USCGC Key Biscayne (WPB 1339). In the summer of 2008, he was transferred to the Coast Guard Academy Professional Maritime Studies Branch as a Nautical Science Instructor.  

Lieutenant Rommerdahl’s awards include the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (with Operational Distinguishing Device), Navy Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and various other service medals and ribbons.