Upon graduating from Tusculum College in 1941, Captain Kotsch undertook graduate work in meteorology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was commissioned an ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve in 1942, and transferred to the Regular Navy in 1947. He served as aerological officer of VN Squadron 8-D5 from 1942 to 1944. His subsequent duty as a meteorologist included command of the Fleet Weather Facility, London (1956-1958), Fleet Weather Central and Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Guam (1961-1963), and directorship of the Meteorology/Oceanography, Staffs of CINCLANT/ CINCLANTFLT and CINCWESTLANT (1963- 1965).