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 on USS Normandy (CG-60), Navigator on USS Tortuga (LSD 46), Operations Officer on USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), Executive Officer on USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), Commanding Officer on USS Gravely (DDDG 107), N5 on the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT, Deputy Commander/Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO-EIGHT, and Commander, Carrier Strike Group FIFTEEN.

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, Director, Surface Warfare Officer Distribution (PERS-41), and Director, Distribution and Career Management (PERS-4). Rear Adm. Kennedy assumed duties as Commander, Navy Personnel Command/Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel September 2025.

He is authorized to wear the Legion of Merit (Gold Star in lieu of Fourth 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.

Last Updated: 13 January 2026