James R. Kenny
Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28
17 November 2020
CAPT James R. Kenny was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his commission after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1996, and his first ship was the USS HAWES (FFG-53), where he was the Anti-submarine Warfare Officer and Ordnance Officer and deployed to the Caribbean Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.
After screening early to Department Head, he reported to USS MITSCHER (DDG-57) in 2001 as the Weapons Officer and then Combat Systems Officer during which MITSCHER participated in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and was one of the Tomahawk firing platforms at the outbreak of hostilities.
After his tour in MITSCHER, CAPT Kenny attended Old Dominion University (ODU), where he obtained a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Education and Training Management Subspecialty. Next, he served as the Force Protection Planner at the United States Joint Forces Command, Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) Core Element A. While at SJFHQ, CAPT Kenny made deployments to Afghanistan and Bahrain and earned designation as a Joint Qualified Officer. In 2008, CAPT Kenny reported to United States Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) for duty as the Ballistic Missile Defense Officer.
While at USFFC, CAPT Kenny screened for O-5 Command Afloat and was slated to USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), where he served as Executive Officer and then as Commanding Officer. During his command tour, DONALD COOK completed a seven month ScanEagle deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Gulf and Horn of Africa and earned the Battle “E,” all five Command Excellence Awards, the Unit Tactics Award, the CNO Afloat Safety Award, the Health and Wellness Unit Award and the Retention Excellence Award.
In 2013, CAPT Kenny assumed duties as Commanding Officer of Afloat Training Group (ATG) Norfolk where he was responsible for the Basic Phase training and certification of more than 50 ships and commands. During his tour, ATG Norfolk developed and implemented training for Aegis Ashore and Forward Deployed Naval Forces – Europe, including conducting the first ever combined training effort between Royal Navy and ATG trainers during Flag Officer Sea Training in Plymouth, UK. Next, he served at Naval Surface Force Atlantic as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Warfighting Requirements and Assessment.
In 2018, CAPT Kenny reported as Deputy Commander and now Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO EIGHT, where he is the Immediate Superior in Command of seven Guided Missile Destroyers (DDGs), the Sea Combat Commander for Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and has made two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Sea.
CAPT Kenny’s awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.