Bio

Major Kao Saeteurn is an active-duty United States Marine Corps officer with a background in military financial management and recruitment. He is currently a 2026-27 MSx student at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and will continue his career in the Marine Corps upon graduation. Kao was born in San Francisco and grew up in Sacramento, California. He enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately after high school and served three combat tours in Iraq from 2004 to 2007 as an Administrative Specialist, Postal Chief, and Convoy Driver. He attended the University of California Davis and graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s in Exercise Biology and a minor in Education. Kao served as a Budget Officer in San Diego from 2013 to 2016, an Officer Selection Officer in Berkeley from 2016 to 2019, a Company Commander and Deputy Comptroller in Okinawa, Japan from 2020 to 2023, and a Recruiting Station Commanding Officer in Sacramento from 2023 to 2026. He plans to be a valued member in the MSx program and gain the skills necessary to further contribute to the Marine Corps as well as the wide range of opportunities that will stem from Stanford GSB.

Honors & Awards

  • Meritorious Service Medal, United States Marine Corps (2023-2026)
  • Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, United States Marine Corps (2020-2023)
  • Meritorious Service Medal, United States Marine Corps (2020-2023)
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2x), United States Marine Corps (2020-2023)
  • Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, United States Marine Corps (2020-2021)
  • Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, United States Marine Corps (2016-2019)
  • Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, United States Marine Corps (2016-2019)
  • Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, United States Marine Corps (2013-2016)
  • Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, United States Marine Corps (2013)
  • Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, United States Marine Corps (2005)
  • Iraqi Campaign Medals (3x), United States Marine Corps (2004-2007)
  • Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, United States Marine Corps (2004-2007)
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3x), United States Marine Corps (2004-2007)

Professional Affiliations and Activities

  • Active Duty Service Member, United States Marine Corps (2003 - Present)
  • Committee Member, Iu Mien Scholarship Fund (2025 - Present)

Education & Certifications

  • Graduate, Marine Corps Command & Staff College, Operational Planning (2021)
  • Graduate, Expeditionary Warfare School, Operational Planning (2016)
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of California Davis, Exercise Biology (2012)
  • Minor, University of California Davis, Education (2012)

Service, Volunteer and Community Work

  • Iu Mien Scholarship Fund, Iu Mien Scholarship Fund (February 1, 2025 - Present)

    Committee member in raising scholarship funds for high school graduates in the Iu Mien community.

    Location

    Oakland, California

  • Iu Mien Community Services, Iu Mien Community Services (October 1, 2023 - Present)

    Committee member in organizing the 22nd and final Iu Mien Student Conference and fundraising efforts for high school graduates in the Iu Mien Community.

    Location

    Sacramento, California

  • Marine Officer Spouses of Okinawa, Marine Officer Spouses of Okinawa (March 1, 2022 - April 22, 2023)

    Auctioneer and assistant with loading, unloading, setup, and breakdown of annual fundraiser auction to raise funds for high school graduates on the island of Okinawa, Japan

    Location

    Okinawa, Japan

Contact

  • Academic
    kmsaeteu@stanford.edu
    University - Student Department: Graduate School of Business Position: Graduate, Business