There’s an old saying: once a soldier, always a soldier. For those who’ve served, it’s a lifelong identity.

I come from a proud military family—my grandfather in the Navy, my father on a combat submarine during the Cuban Missile Crisis, along with multiple uncles and a younger brother who proudly served. Following their path, I enlisted after high school and served more than 26 years, including multiple operations and two wartime deployments.

Beyond the military, I’ve always found peace in the outdoors—hunting, fishing, and the quiet focus they bring. That same focus carries into my craftsmanship, a passion shaped by my father and grandfather. From them, I learned not only how to build, but the importance of precision, integrity, and doing things the right way. Transitioning out of military service brought a new challenge: finding purpose beyond the uniform.

Like many veterans, I faced the difficult questions—what’s next, and where do I belong? Through that journey, I realized I wasn’t alone. Connecting with other veterans and participating in programs like Project Healing Waters helped me rediscover direction, motivation, and community and led to the foundation of NetOPS. Today, every landing net I craft is built with quality, intention, and resilience.

My mission is to give back by donating a portion of all net sale proceeds to veteran organizations, helping others find their path forward.This is my next chapter. This is my purpose. And this is how I continue to serve as a soldier beyond the uniform.

Thank you for helping make a difference… now get out and enjoy the outdoors—and carry the mission forward.

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~ MSG (R) Dave Kitchin