Rear Admiral Kevin M. Sweeney

A native of Wynnewood, Pa., Rear Adm. Sweeney graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1982. He is currently serving as the executive officer to the Commander, U.S. Central Command.

Sweeney's sea duty assignments include tours as communications officer and anti-surface warfare officer in USS John Rodgers (DD 983); combat systems officer in USS Elliot (DD 967); combat systems officer and readiness and training officer at Commander, Destroyer Squadron 13 and executive officer in USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51). In March 2001, Sweeney assumed command of USS Cole (DDG 67) and was responsible for Cole’s restoration and return to fleet operations in April 2002. He next reported to the staff of Commander, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group as the surface operations officer and then operations officer, and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In March 2005, Sweeney assumed command of Destroyer Squadron 26 and served as the sea combat commander for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

Ashore, Sweeney completed three tours in Washington, DC as an action officer on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Joint Staff; and as the executive assistant to the Under Secretary of the Navy; served as flag secretary for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Joint Forces Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, and served at Navy Personnel Command as branch head for Surface Warfare Officer Commander and Lieutenant Commander Assignments. He also served as the executive assistant to the Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and most recently as the executive officer to the Commander, U.S. Central Command.

Sweeney graduated with distinction with a Master of Science degree in Management, specializing in Financial Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. in 1989. He also graduated with a Master of Art degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. in 1994. Additionally, he completed the Senior Executive Fellows Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in 2007.

Sweeney’s decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and service awards.