Captain Thomas K. Kiss Commanding Officer
Captain Thomas K. Kiss of Rockville, Maryland, graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture. He was selected for immediate graduate education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received a Master of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in 1989.
Following nuclear propulsion and surface warfare training, CAPT Kiss began his first sea duty assignment in USS MONTEREY (CG 61) where he served as Strike Warfare Officer. Subsequent sea assignments included: Chemistry Assistant and Chemistry/Radiological Controls Assistant in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), Weapons Control Officer and Combat Systems Officer in USS PRINCETON (CG 59), Main Propulsion Assistant in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), Executive Officer in USS CAPE ST GEORGE (CG 71), and Commanding Officer in USS STOUT (DDG 55). While in command of STOUT, the ship deployed to both the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Southern Command areas of responsibility and received the Battle Effectiveness award and two Golden Anchor awards for retention.
CAPT Kiss’ shore and staff assignments include tours as a Joint Capabilities Analyst in the Joint Staff’s Directorate for Force Structure, Resources, and Assessments (JS/J-8), as Officer-in-Charge of the Surface Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team in Bremerton, WA, as a Legislative Fellow and Military Legislative Assistant in the office of Representative Gene Taylor (D-MS), and as the Surface Nuclear Officer Programs and Policies Officer (PERS-424/41N) at Navy Personnel Command.
CAPT Kiss is a graduate of the Naval War College and the Armed Forces Staff College. He completed a fellowship through the M.I.T. Seminar XXI program in 2005. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with one gold star), the Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with four gold stars), Navy Achievement Medal (with two gold stars), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.