United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer (Retired) and Syracuse University employee Andrew “Keith” Doss was born in Syracuse and lives with his family in Jamesville, New York. Keith enlisted and began his active-duty service in 1986 attending bootcamp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.
After bootcamp, he reported to the USS Savannah (AOR-4) Norfolk, Virginia in January 1987 as a Boatswain’s Mate and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and other locations around the world. He served aboard the Savannah until leaving active duty in October 1989 and transferred to the U.S. Navy Reserves. During his career, Keith held various leadership positions such as Rig Captain and Safety Officer during underway replenishment, Unit Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, and Officer-in-Charge of the Cargo Afloat Rig Team (CART) unit. He was mobilized and deployed to the Persian Gulf in February 2003 in support of combat operations during Operations Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom. Following the end of major combat operations, Keith was re-assigned to the Sea of Japan operating area in May of 2003.
Keith is a 26-year Navy veteran – serving both active and reserve duty – and officially retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves on October 1st, 2012. Keith’s proudest military moment was providing opportunities for junior sailors to become experts in their ratings and ensuring they were recognized and promoted.
Some of his military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (1 award), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Battle E Ribbon, and the Navy Sea Service Ribbon.
Keith began working at Syracuse University in 1990 in several positions under the Business, Finance, and Administrative Services from 1990 to 2010. In 2011, he began supporting the university’s student veterans and military-connected students as a Veterans Advisor with University College until 2018. Since 2018, Keith serves as the Director of the Office of Veteran Success where he and his team support veterans and military-connected students with processing their Veterans Administration (VA) education benefits.
In 1991, Keith married the love of his life, Karyn Doss. They have three children: daughters Rebecca and Danielle, and son Adam.
