Lt. Gretchen Doane is from Tavares, Fla., and is a 1984 graduate of Thornton High School in Thornton, Colo. She enlisted in the Navy in May 1985.

Gretchen reported to USS Yosemite (AD 19) homeported in Mayport, Fla., in September 1985. She made her first six-month deployment in 1986. In September 1987, she reported to Patrol Squadron 30 (VP 30) at NAS Jacksonville, Fla.

In May 1989, Gretchen reported to Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Corry Station in Pensacola, Fla. Gretchen transferred to Commander, U.S. Forces Korea in Seoul in September 1991. In October 1992, she reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Squadron 40 (HSL 40). Gretchen then served at NAS Keflavik, Iceland in March 1995, where she was selected as the Military Member of the Year for Commander, Fleet Air Keflavik. In November 1997, Gretchen reported to Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU 4) at Little Creek Naval Base in Norfolk, Va. In September 1998 she was advanced to chief petty officer.

In December 1998, Gretchen was reassigned to Fighter Squadron 41 (VF 41) at NAS Oceana, Va. She completed work-ups and a combat deployment to Kosovo in 1999 in support of Operation Allied Force. Gretchen was selected for Limited Duty Officer and was commissioned in January 2001. In February 2001, she reported to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in Norfolk, Va. She completed a homeport change to San Diego, Calif., and an eight-month combat deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Gretchen then reported to Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in November 2003.