Rear Adm. Kirk is a native of Hershey, Pennsylvania and a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. 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, Pacific Fleet, and operations officer for Carrier Strike Group Seven/Ronald Reagan Strike Group. 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.
Kirk’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and various other personal, unit and service awards