Rear Adm. T. J. Zerr, a native of Denver, Colorado, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Honors Economics. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business, majoring in finance, organizational management, and human relations.

Zerr’s sea tours include USS Princeton (CG 59), USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and USS Kidd (DDG 100). He commanded USS Kidd, leading an independent deployment to the Asia-Pacific that earned the Battle Efficiency Award. He later served as Deputy Commander and Commander of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21.

Ashore, he served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy of Naval Reactors at the Washington Navy Yard; Director of Defense Policy and Strategy on the National Security Council at the White House; Branch Head for Policy, Doctrine, and Advanced Concepts (N5) at Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Headquarters; Commander’s Action Group Director for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Deputy Commander of SMWDC; and Chief of Staff, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

In April 2025, Zerr assumed the role of Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center.

Last Updated: 22 April 2025