New Navy Destroyer.... But, Get This....

[Harbinger]

So, here's the Navy's newest destroyer....

http://www.businessinsider.com/zumwalt-destroyer-navy-2013-10

However, this is the funny part. Check out the name of the Captain / current prospective commanding officer....

http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg1000/Pages/bio1.aspx#.UnF_NxAlgnZ

CAPT James A. Kirk
Commanding Officer

Captain Kirk is a native of Bethesda, Maryland and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was commissioned at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990 and has served in a variety of afloat and ashore billets as a Surface Warfare Officer.

He has served afloat on destroyers, cruisers, frigates and staffs including USS Fife (DD 991), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Hue City (CG 66), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and as a Gas Turbine Inspector on the staff of Commander, Pacific Fleet. His most recent sea duty includes command of USS De Wert (FFG 45) and Operations Officer for Carrier Strike Group Seven, Ronald Reagan Strike Group.

Ashore, Captain Kirk has served as Executive Assistant to the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs and as an Action Officer on the Joint Staff. He has attended both the U.S. Naval War College and U. S. Army War College graduating with Masters Degrees in National Security Studies. He is currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Surface Warfare and is the prospective commanding officer of USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).

 

[Pondwater]

Quite interesting.

 

[JarodRussell]

That's awesome.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

CAPT James A. Kirk

Canon violation!!! Everyone knows Captain Kirk's only acceptable middle initials are "T" and "R." I can't imagine how anyone could associate T&A with Captain Kirk.

Its commissioning is a bit of a ways off and a pretty different requirement from commanding destroyers, but it would be awesome if he got command of the next Enterprise. Make it happen, US Navy.

 

[Pavonis]

I wonder what his career has been like. Has he been aiming for captain his whole time in service? Is he angling for command of an Enterprise? Does he have a Spock or a Scott in his command?

 

[Marten]

I like the ship. And the captain.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Awesome. Wonder what the dedication plaque says?

 

[Saga]

Fascinating...

 

[J.T.B.]

Its commissioning is a bit of a ways off and a pretty different requirement from commanding destroyers, but it would be awesome if he got command of the next Enterprise. Make it happen, US Navy.

That will so never happen. They haven't sent 45 year old black shoe captains to flight school since about 1930. In 12 years he will probably be too senior to even fly his flag in her. They should have started planning all this around the time Star Trek VI came out.

Has he been aiming for captain his whole time in service?

I think that's pretty safe to assume. On the way to admiral, anyway.

Kind of funny to see an O-6 commanding a "destroyer." I know it's huge, but only about 150 crew.

 

[scotpens]

According to internet sources, there are over 1000 people named James Kirk in the U.S. It's not surprising that at least one of them is a Navy captain. Maybe there's a Capt. James Kirk in the Army, Air Force or Marine Corps as well. Or in a local police department somewhere.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Is this Captain Kirk actually a Trek fan?

 

[scotpens]

The USS Zumwalt:

I imagine some drunken old salt strolling by and saying, "The Navy must be crazy nowadays. They're building upside-down ships!"

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Looks just a WEE bit Goa'uld-ish!

 

[Sector 7]

The USS Zumwalt:

I imagine some drunken old salt strolling by and saying, "The Navy must be crazy nowadays. They're building upside-down ships!"

Reminds me of Captain Nemo's Nautilus from League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

 

[M'Sharak]

I wonder what his career has been like.

Click.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I would like to marry that man.

"This is my husband, Captain Kirk."

 

[JarodRussell]

Wonder what he has to say about that 3 years cadet to captain in a day stuff.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

According to internet sources, there are over 1000 people named James Kirk in the U.S. It's not surprising that at least one of them is a Navy captain. Maybe there's a Capt. James Kirk in the Army, Air Force or Marine Corps as well. Or in a local police department somewhere.

When I served in the Air Force, I knew a Captain Kirk. I also knew a Major Battle and when he was promoted to Lt. Colonel Battle it just wasn't the same.

 

[JarodRussell]

The question is, how many of the parents of those 1000 James Kirks actually named them James because they are Star Trek fans?

 

[Captain S Crisp]

I think it would be great just to be able to say "This is Captain James Kirk - commanding the USS Zumwalt". I wish him and the ship much success.