Phil Ehr
U.S. Navy 1982 – 2008
Phil Ehr began his military journey in the Naval ROTC at Tulane University before transition into the fleet as an enlisted sailor. Initially aboard USS Leyte Gulf, Ehr became a Fire Control Technician, achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. After earning his degree while enlisted, Ehr attended Aviation Officer Candidate School and became a Naval Flight Officer. He trained with the A-6 Intruder, later transitioning to the EP-3 signals intelligence aircraft. Ehr participated in key Cold War missions, conducting electronic surveillance and intelligence operations worldwide. His diverse experiences—ranging from manual labor and naval operations to aviation and intelligence—shaped his leadership philosophy significantly. Since retiring from the Navy, Ehr has remained engaged in civic life through nonprofit work and public advocacy, including efforts to promote national security, counter disinformation, and support veterans' issues.
Full Interview
Interview Summary
Access the complete transcript here
Introduction (0:47 – 1:18)
Early Life and Global Childhood (1:18 – 4:23)
Choosing the Navy and the ROTC Journey (4:23 – 8:58)
Life as an Enlisted Sailor (8:58 – 13:18)
Officer Candidate School and Flight Training (13:18 – 16:40)
Flying the A-6 Intruder and Transition to the EP-3 (16:40 – 26:48)
EP-3 Missions, Desert Storm, and NATO Cooperation (26:48 – 49:07)
Leadership, Crash Recovery, and Reflections on Command (49:07 – 53:35)
Retirement, Public Service, and Final Message (53:35 – 1:05:09)
