Leo B. Kafka

Defense Industry Professional | Program Management • Systems & Sustainment • Field / Mission Operations

Active TS/SCI Clearance · Arleigh Burke-Class (DDG-51) Propulsion & Systems Experience · Available [Separation Date]

San Diego, CA · Open to Relocation [Email] [Phone] LinkedIn: [LinkedIn]

U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer and active TS/SCI clearance holder transitioning to the defense industrial base. Operated, maintained, and certified the gas-turbine propulsion, electrical, and engineering systems of forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) guided-missile destroyers — the same platforms and systems delivered and sustained by the prime contractors. A results-driven program manager and technical leader who drove a 40% gain in shipboard metrology output, cleared 25+ equipment casualty reports (CASREPs), and steered a gas-turbine engineering division through INSURV, Type Commander, and depot-availability certification gauntlets with outstanding results. Pairs hands-on engineering depth with maritime operations expertise (250+ Officer of the Deck hours, multiple Strait of Hormuz transits, VBSS boarding operations) and squadron-level program coordination across a seven-destroyer staff. Selected for Department Head ahead of peers. Built for Field Service Engineering, Program Management, Test & Evaluation, and sustainment / operations roles.

Core Competencies

Clearance & Program Management

Active TS/SCI Clearance · Program & Project Management · Systems Engineering & Technical Operations · Marine Gas-Turbine Propulsion & Electrical Systems

Quality & Sustainment

Metrology / Calibration Program Management · Test, Inspection & Certification Readiness (INSURV, T&E) · Maintenance & Depot Sustainment (DSRA) · Casualty / Reliability Analysis (CASREP, Root-Cause)

Documentation & Leadership

Configuration & Technical Documentation Control · Field Operations & Mission Support · Training Development & Delivery · Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Risk & Interface

Risk Management & Operational Safety · DoD / Government Customer Interface · Maritime Interdiction (VBSS / Boarding Operations) · Readiness & Fleet Response Planning (OFRP)

Key Achievements

Drove a 40% Increase in Metrology Output: Restructured the shipboard Gauge Calibration program and raised Level 1–3 calibration throughput by 40%, then scored 92% on formal Gauge Calibration Recertification.
Kept a Combatant on Schedule for Depot Availability: Cleared 25+ equipment casualty reports (CASREPs) and managed critical-plant configuration documentation (REDLINES) resolving 3 Category-4, 12 Category-3, and 9 Category-2 casualties — keeping USS John S. McCain on plan for its docking depot availability.
Passed the Full Inspection Gauntlet: Led the engineering plant through Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), Type Commander assists, and ISIC reviews following a sustained 5th Fleet combat deployment, earning outstanding results.
Trusted Beyond Paygrade Across a 7-Ship Staff: As squadron Assistant Training & Readiness Officer, qualified Staff Duty Officer 60% faster than standard and now coordinates fleet-response readiness for seven destroyers across three immediate superiors in command.
Top-Tier Performer: Ranked #2 of 26 division officers; received an Early Promote and selection for Department Head Afloat ahead of peers across multiple reporting periods.

Professional Experience

Assistant Training & Readiness Officer (N7)

Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23 (COMDESRON 23) — San Diego, CA | U.S. Navy

2025 — Present

Coordinate Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) training and readiness cycles for seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers spanning three administrative immediate superiors in command (ISICs); plan and deliver staff training for 39 personnel.
Qualified as Staff Duty Officer within three weeks of arrival — 60% faster than the command standard — and manage operational reporting and command communications for seven operationally-controlled surface combatants.
Led validation and submission of 2025 Battle Efficiency ("Battle E") and unit tactical award packages for all seven squadron destroyers, ensuring accurate, competitive nominations at the Type Commander level.
Planned and executed the Junior Officer Shiphandling Competition, directly improving squadron tactical proficiency.
Support Carrier Strike Group anti-submarine warfare (ASW) integration; pursuing Sea Combat / ASW Commander (SCC/ASWC) qualification.

Main Propulsion Officer & Engineering Division Officer

USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), Forward-Deployed Naval Forces — Yokosuka, Japan | U.S. Navy

2023 — 2025

Led the Main Propulsion (gas-turbine) and Electrical division — one Chief Petty Officer and 20 technicians across three main engineering spaces — operating and sustaining the propulsion, electrical generation, and auxiliary systems of a forward-deployed guided-missile destroyer.
Owned the ship's Gauge Calibration / metrology program; restructured procedures to drive a 40% increase in Level 1–3 calibration output, scored 92% on formal recertification, and performed systems-level fault isolation in coordination with manufacturer technical representatives.
Cleared 25+ equipment casualty reports (CASREPs) and managed critical-plant configuration documentation (REDLINES) that resolved 3 Category-4, 12 Category-3, and 9 Category-2 casualties, keeping the ship on schedule for its docking depot availability (DSRA).
Steered the engineering plant through a continuous inspection and certification gauntlet — INSURV, Type Commander assists, ISIC reviews, and DSRA entry — earning outstanding results after a sustained 5th Fleet combat deployment.
Executed 32 refueling-at-sea and in-port fueling evolutions with zero spills, enforcing rigorous safety and environmental procedures.
Served as Visit, Board, Search & Seizure (VBSS) Warfare Lead and Boarding Officer; overhauled the boarding program and certified team readiness for operational maritime interdiction during a 5th Fleet deployment.
Stood Officer of the Deck (250+ underway hours), Conning Officer, and Combat Information Center Watch Officer — navigating four Strait of Hormuz transits and six sea-and-anchor evolutions in high-density, high-threat waters.
Built the watch-qualification pipeline: mentorship produced multiple Officer of the Deck, Conning Officer, and Combat Information Center Watch Officer qualifications, and 85% of eligible division Sailors earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) qualification during deployment.

Education & Qualifications

B.A., Political Science · [University]

[Graduation Year]

Warfare Qualification: Surface Warfare Officer (SWO)
Watch & Program Qualifications: Officer of the Deck (Underway) · Conning Officer · Combat Information Center Watch Officer · VBSS Boarding Officer · Staff Duty Officer · Gauge Calibration Program Manager
Professional Schools: Basic Division Officer Course · Advanced ASW Officer · [add others as applicable]

Awards & Recognition

Unit / Performance: Battle Efficiency ("Yellow E") Engineering Excellence Award · Early Promote evaluation · Selected for Department Head Afloat ahead of peers
Personal Decorations: [Full list pending DD-214 — e.g., Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, unit and campaign awards]

Security Clearance

Active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). Previously read-in to Special Access Programs (SAP). Continuously held and exercised aboard a forward-deployed combatant and on a fleet squadron staff.