CAPT T.J. Zerr

Past Commodore, Destroyer Squadron 21 (CDS 21)

15 December 2021 A native of Denver, CO, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Honors Economics.  In 2004, he earned a Master of Business Administration at the Wharton School of Business majoring in Finance, Organizational Management, and Human Relations; and the 2004 Dean Thomas P. Gerrity Class Leadership Award.

His operational assignments include division officer tours on USS Princeton (CG 59) as the Gunnery and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, and USS John C Stennis (CVN 74) as the Reactor Mechanical Division Officer and Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant.  As a Department Head he served on USS Decatur (DDG 73) as Operations Officer and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the Reactor Electrical Assistant.  After serving as the Executive Officer, he became the Commanding Officer of USS Kidd (DDG 100) stationed in San Diego, California.  During his time in command, USS Kidd independently deployed to the Asia-Pacific and earned the Battle Efficiency Award.  He also served at-sea as Reactor Officer in USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) homeported in Bremerton, Washington.

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 Headquarters; and Commander’s Action Group Director for Commander, Naval Surfaces Forces Pacific Fleet.

While onboard Nimitz, he received the Stennis Center for Public Service, “CINCPAC” Leadership Award.  A distinguished graduate of the Surface Warfare Officer School’s prospective Department Head and Commanding Officer courses, he was the recipient of the Arleigh Burke Leadership, Top Gunner, and Vice Admiral Bulkeley Distinguished Graduate Awards. As Reactor Officer on John C. Stennis, he received the Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award in the Senior Officer Category.

Commander Zerr’s personal awards include the Presidential Service Badge, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), as well as various campaign and unit awards to include six Battle Efficiency Awards.