James A. Kirk is a native of Bethesda, MD, and was raised in Hershey, PA.

Kirk is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1990, where he was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy. During his Navy career he has served in a variety of afloat and ashore billets as a Surface Warfare Officer.

He has served afloat on destroyers, cruisers, frigates and staffs including USS Fife (DD 991), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Hue City (CG 66), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and as a Gas Turbine Inspector on the staff of Commander, Pacific Fleet. His most recent sea duty includes command of USS De Wert (FFG 45) and Operations Officer for Carrier Strike Group Seven, Ronald Reagan Strike Group.

Ashore, Captain Kirk has served as Executive Assistant to the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs and as an Action Officer on the Joint Staff. He has attended both the U.S. Naval War College and U.S. Army War College, graduating with Masters Degrees in National Security Studies. He is currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Surface Warfare and is the prospective commanding officer of the new USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).