CDR Kenneth W. Zilka

Commanding Officer, USS Germantown (LSD 42)

20 October 2023 A native of Buffalo, Ohio, CDR Zilka enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1992. Following completion of recruit training in Great Lakes, he attended Storekeeper “A” school in Meridian, Miss. His enlisted tours included the USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39), JTF-160, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Navy Recruiting District, Raleigh, NC, USS JOHN HANCOCK (DD 981) and USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64). In 2004, CDR Zilka commissioned from the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Jacksonville University and an M.A. in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
 

At sea, CDR Zilka’s division officer tours were in USS VICKSBURG (CG 69) as Gunnery/Force Protection Officer and Navigator deploying twice to the Fifth Fleet AOR in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Air Defense Commander. Following completion of Department Head School in July 2012, where he earned distinguished graduate honors, he reported to USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58) as the Combat Systems Officer and in 2014 reported to Destroyer Squadron SEVEN, forward deployed to Singapore, as the N6/N8. More recently, he completed his tour as Executive Officer in USS NEW ORLEANS (LPD 18) completing two FDNF-J patrols in the Western Pacific.

Ashore, CDR Zilka served as the Officer in Charge of the Center for Security Forces Learning Site in Mayport, Fla. In 2016, he reported to the U.S. Naval War College and completed the 13-month Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS). In 2017, CDR Zilka reported to COMUSNAVCENT/ COMFIFTHFLT as the Deputy Future Plans Branch Chief. His most recent assignment was as the Director of Manpower and Personnel (N1) at Surface Warfare Schools Command in Newport, RI.

CDR Zilka’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (6 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal (6 awards). His unit awards include the Battle Efficiency Award (3 awards) and numerous campaign and unit citations.