Commander Kirk is a native of Southern California and a 2001 graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. He received his commission through the Navy ROTC program at Ohio State in 2001 and was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2003. He is also a 2015 graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, earning a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. Over the course of his career, Commander Kirk has accumulated more than 2,200 flight hours, primarily in the MH-60S helicopter.
His operational assignments include Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eleven (HC 11) and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Twenty-One (HSC 21) in San Diego, California, from 2003 to 2006. He served in the Air Department aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) from 2009 to 2011. As a Department Head, he was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Twenty-Six (HSC 26) in Norfolk, Virginia. He served as Officer in Charge of HSC-26 Detachment One in Bahrain from 2012 to 2013, conducting logistics support missions for Commander, Task Force Five Three (CTF 53).
His shore and staff assignments include Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three (HSC 3) in San Diego as a Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor pilot from 2006 to 2009. From 2015 to 2018, he served in the J5 Directorate at Special Operations Command South in Homestead, Florida, where he was responsible for special operations maritime and contingency planning across the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. The highlight of his career was serving as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar in San Diego from 2018 to 2021. From 2021 to 2023, he served as the Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic liaison officer to Bahrain. From 2023 to 2025, he served as Chief Staff Officer at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training in Pensacola, Florida.
Commander Kirk assumed duties as Officer in Charge of the NETSAFA International Training Center in September 2025.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), in addition to various unit, campaign, and service awards.
 

Last Updated: 17 February 2026