Rear Adm. Jeffrey Kilian is a native of Spokane, Washington. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science in Engineering (Construction Engineering and Project Management) from the University of Texas at Austin and he completed the Advanced Management Program at Duke University. Prior to joining the Navy, Kilian served four years as a Marine assigned to 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Kilian's operational tours include assignments with Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 3 and 74; Construction Battalion Unit 427; and the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment. His contingency tours include deployments in support of the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (U.S. Pacific Command); Expeditionary Strike Group ONE/Commander, Joint Task Force Disaster Assistance (Pakistan, South Asia); I & II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)/Operation Iraqi Freedom; Task Force Sierra/Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

His facilities and staff tours include assistant resident officer in charge of Construction at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka; Civil Engineer Corps junior officer detailer, Navy Personnel Command; Engineer Planner, U.S. Support Group East Timor; public works officer, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove; Gulf Coast Integrated Product team leader, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast; executive assistant to the Director of Navy Energy and Environmental Readiness Division (OPNAV N45) and branch head for Facilities Investments, Shore Readiness Division (OPNAV N46); executive officer, NAVFAC Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center; and chief of staff, NAVFAC Headquarters.

Kilian has previously commanded Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, and NAVFAC Europe Africa Central.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal. Kilian is a registered professional engineer in the State of California, a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, a Certified Energy Manager, and qualified as a Seabee Combat Warfare officer and Fleet Marine Force officer.

Last Updated: 23 January 2023