James A. Kirk

James Adam Kirk (born 1967) is a retired United States Navy rear admiral and surface warfare officer who last served as the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 from November 18, 2022 to June 9, 2023. He previously served as a special assistant to the Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific from June 2022 to November 2022; commander of Carrier Strike Group 15 from June 2021 to June 2022; and deputy commander and chief of staff for Joint Warfare Centre, Allied Command Transformation in Stavanger, Norway.

As a captain, Kirk was the first commanding officer of USS Zumwalt, commissioned in 2014. Kirk's name often elicits comparison to Star Trek 's James T. Kirk.

Naval career Kirk graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy Class 1990. He has attended both the U.S. Naval War College and U.S. Army War College graduating with Masters in National Security Studies.

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 Hué City (CG-66), USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), gas turbine inspector on the staff of Commander, United States Pacific Fleet, and operations officer for Carrier Strike Group 7. He has commanded both USS De Wert (FFG-45), and USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000).

Ashore, Kirk has served as executive assistant to the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs, action officer on the Joint Staff J8, executive assistant to the director of Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96), and deputy for Weapons and Sensors to the director of Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96). As a flag officer, he served as deputy commander and chief of staff for Joint Warfare Center, Allied Command Transformation in Stavanger, Norway; and as commander, Carrier Strike Group Eleven. Kirk assumed command of Carrier Strike Group Fifteen in June 2021.

In October 2022, Kirk was selected for reassignment as the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Three.

Awards and decorations

Joint Chiefs of Staff BadgeSurface Warfare Officer PinDefense Superior Service Medal w/ 1 bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of MeritDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal w/ 3 gold award starNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 4 gold award starJoint Service Achievement Medal w/ 1 oak leaf clusterNavy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalNavy Unit CommendationNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 3 bronze service starsNavy E Ribbon w/ 4th_awardNational Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal w/ 1 service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 3 service starOverseas Service Ribbon w/ 3 service starSpecial Operations Service Ribbon w/ 1 service starKuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Navy Sharpshooter Rifle RibbonNavy Expert Pistol MedalCommand at Sea insignia