Commander Kelly Taylor is a native of Erie, Pa. She attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in 1993 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography.

After attending Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, RI, she reported to USS Ashland (LSD 48) in 1998, where she served as Machinery Division Officer and Combat Information Center Officer.

Following her lateral transfer to the oceanography community, she reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in 2000, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Physical Oceanography and Atmospheric Science.

Following completion of graduate studies in 2003, Cmdr. Taylor reported to the National/ Naval Ice Center in Washington D.C. as Operations Officer.

In 2006, she reported to Naval Special Warfare Group One as the Staff Meteorology and Oceanography Officer. During this tour she also served as the Technical Special Reconnaissance Officer in Charge at Naval Special Warfare Support Activity One.

In February 2009, Cmdr. Taylor reported to USS Peleliu (LHA 5), where she served as the Operations Aviation Division Officer and Commander, Amphibious Squadron Three Staff Oceanographer and completed a WESTPAC 2010 deployment.

In February 2011, she reported as Officer in Charge of Professional Development Detachment, Pacific, located in San Diego, Calif.

In 2012, Cmdr. Taylor reported to the Fleet Weather Center, San Diego, as the Strike Group Oceanography Team Department Head. During this tour, she also served as the Operations Officer.

She returned to the Naval Ice Center in 2014 as the Commanding Officer and Director of the National Ice Center.

In 2016 she reported to Oceanographer of the Navy Staff (N2N6E) as the Deputy Director for Task Force Climate Change, and was co-author of the Navy’s 2019 Arctic Strategic Outlook.
In 2018 she reported to the Office of Geography at National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.  She also served as Deputy Operations Officer in the Maritime Safety Office.

In 2020 she was assigned to the United States Naval Observatory as the Deputy Superintendent.   

Commander Taylor’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Navy Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various service and campaign awards.
 

Last Updated: 15 June 2022