John Kirby grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 1985 with a B.A. in History, working part-time in the Sports Department of the St. Petersburg Times.
John was commissioned in September1986 after completing Officer Candidate School. At sea, he has served aboard the guided missile frigate USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) as Electrical Officer, Assistant Navigator and Communications Officer. He also served as Public Affairs Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV-59) and on the staff of the Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, embarked aboard the command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20).
Ashore, John completed tours as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy; and as Public Affairs Officer with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels), and with the staffs of the Chief of Naval Personnel, the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and the Chief of Naval Operations. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Navy’s Flagship monthly magazine, All Hands, from 1997-1999.
John holds a M.S. in International Relations from Troy State University and an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. His most recent assignment was as the Special Assistant for Public Affairs to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.