Major Ethan D. Coots graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 2011. After completing training at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, he attended the Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Basic Officer Course at Fort Bliss, TX and obtained the 7204 Military Occupational Specialty.
Second Lieutenant Coots reported to 3d LAAD Battalion on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, CA in February 2012, where he served as a platoon commander and battery executive officer in Battery A. In January 2014, First Lieutenant Coots was assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit as the LAAD Detachment Officer-In-Charge (OIC). Following deployment throughout the Western Pacific and Central Command area of operation, First Lieutenant Coots returned to 3d LAAD Battalion and served as the Assistant Operations Officer.
After executing orders to 2d LAAD Battalion on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point in July 2015, Captain Coots assumed command of Battery A, 2d LAAD Battalion. In March 2017, Captain Coots deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, serving as the Military Coordination Cell J4 Officer in Mogadishu, Somalia. Following this deployment, he transferred to Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28, where he served as the Squadron S4 Officer.
In April 2018, Captain Coots assumed the billet of Officer Selection Officer, Officer Selection Station East Lansing, Recruiting Station Lansing, MI. Following the successful completion of his tour with Marine Corps Recruiting Command in June 2021, Major Coots transferred to 2d LAAD Battalion to serve as the Operations Officer, holding the billet until August 2022. Major Coots then reported to VMM-162 (REIN) where he served as the Marine Air Control Group (MACG) Detachment OIC on the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) until May 2024. Major Coots reported to 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion on Marine Corps Base Hawaii in August 2024, where he served as Battalion Operations Officer and is currently the Battalion Executive Officer.
Major Coots' personal decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (third award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.