Cmdr. Josh Kempinski
Executive Officer, USS Cooperstown (LCS 23)
12 December 2024
A 2006 United States Naval Academy graduate, Commander Josh Kempinski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He is originally from Essex Junction, Vermont.
A career Surface Warfare Officer, Commander Kempinski’s shipboard assignments include:
USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40) as Ordnance Officer,
USS DENVER (LPD 09) as Navigator, and
USS PRINCETON (CG 59) as Weapons and Combat Systems Officer. Ashore, Commander Kempinski taught seamanship and navigation at the United States Naval Academy. He was a Maritime Warfare instructor at Surface Warfare Schools Command, specializing in Undersea Warfare and Air and Missile Defense. He served on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff, in the N52 Service Integration and Policy Branch and was a Regional Strategy and Joint Warfighting expert at the US Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute. He most recently attended the Senior Officer War College Program at the US Army War College, where he received a Master of Strategic Studies degree and was a member of their elite National Security Policy Program.
His personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (Five Awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.