CAPT Kenneth M. Athans

Past Commodore, Destroyers Squadron Thirty One (CDS 31)

15 January 2021 A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, CAPT Athans enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and attained the rank of Gunner’s Mate First Class prior to receiving his commission through the Seaman to Admiral Program in 1998.
 
At sea, CAPT Athans served as Gunnery Officer, Damage Control Assistant, Fire Control Officer and Weapons Officer in USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73) during his division officer tours. As a department head, he served as Weapons Officer in USS VICKSBURG (CG 69), and Operations Officer in USS PORT ROYAL. He served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer in USS HALSEY (DDG 97) and, most recently, Deputy Commander Destroyer Squadron THREE ONE.
 
Ashore, he served at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command as a Future Operations Planner and Executive Assistant to the Director for Operations and Commanding Officer, Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific.
 
He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Computing Sciences with honors and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University. He also is a graduate of the Asia-Pacific Security Center for Security Studies at the DOD academic institute in Honolulu, Hawaii.
 
CAPT Athans is currently assigned as Commodore, Destroyer Squadron THREE ONE.
 
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (five awards) and various other unit and campaign awards. He was the Carrier Strike Group Seven Ship handler of the Year in 2001 and the Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific Tactician of the Year in 2008.