Rear Adm. Kennedy is a native of Gloucester, NJ, and graduated from Villanova University in 1996 with Bachelors/Masters Degrees in English Education. He received his commission via the Naval ROTC program.
Rear Adm. Kennedy’s sea duty assignments include Electrical Officer in USS Normandy (CG 60), Navigator in USS Tortuga (LSD 46), Operations Officer in USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), Executive Officer in USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), Commanding Officer in USS Gravely (DDG 107), N5 on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT, and Deputy Commander / Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO EIGHT.
Ashore, Rear Adm. Kennedy served as Flag Aide to Deputy Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Assistant Surface Warfare Officer Community Manager at Navy Personnel Command, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint OPT Lead on the Joint Staff J3, Naval Surface Force Requirements Officer, Strategic Director in the Strategic Warfighting Innovation Cell (SWIC) OPNAV DCNO N7, and Director, Surface Warfare Officer Distribution (PERS-41). Rear Adm. Kennedy currently serves as Commander, Carrier Strike Group FIFTEEN.
Rear Adm. Kennedy’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit (Gold Star in lieu of Third Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of Third Award), Navy Commendation Medal (Silver Star in lieu of sixth Award), Navy Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of Second Award), and various unit, campaign, and service medals.