Rear Adm. Kyle Gantt is a career surface warfare officer. Prior to assignment to U.S. 7 Fleet, Gantt served as the senate director in Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs. He commanded at sea at every level, most recently commanding the Navy’s forward deployed surface combatants in Europe as commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 60 and commander, Task Force (CTF) 65 stationed in Rota, Spain. His previous commanding officer tours include USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) stationed in Norfolk, Virginia; USS HURRICANE (PC 3) stationed in Little Creek, Virginia; and USS SIROCCO (PC 6) stationed in Manama, Bahrain.
At sea, Gantt spent his career in cruisers and destroyers serving as communications officer of USS TAYLOR (FFG 50), main propulsion assistant of USS VICKSBURG (CG 69), chief engineer of USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75), executive officer of USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66), and deputy commodore, DESRON 60/deputy commander, CTF 65.
Ashore, Gantt served as flag lieutenant for Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic; branch chief for maritime operations in the Joint Irregular Warfare Center; aide de camp for Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command; branch head for destroyers and future ship requirements on the OPNAV staff (N96); deputy chief of legislative affairs, and house director, Office of Legislative Affairs.
Gantt earned a B.S. in history from the U.S. Naval Academy, and an M.B.A. with concentration in financial management from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). While at NPS, he was selected as a Conrad scholar for excellence in financial management. He is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College.
Gantt’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service, campaign and unit decorations.
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