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McKenzie S. Plank

Executive Officer - NTAG Southwest

24 May 2022

NTAG Southwest
Navy Talent Acquisition Group Southwest Executive Officer Cmdr. McKenzie S. Plank, a native of Mountain View, California, assumed his new position, May 1, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo)
NTAG Southwest
250501-N-N0635-1001
Navy Talent Acquisition Group Southwest Executive Officer Cmdr. McKenzie S. Plank, a native of Mountain View, California, assumed his new position, May 1, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo)
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Photo By: Todd Hack
VIRIN: 250501-N-N0635-1001

Cmdr. McKenzie S. Plank is a native of Mountain View, California. He was commissioned in 2007 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English.
His first assignment was aboard USS Barry (DDG 52), where he served as the Electronic Warfare Officer and Visit Board Search and Seizure Officer. During this tour he participated in Joint Warrior and a Sixth Fleet Deployment in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.

His second assignment was in USS Devastator (MCM 6) as Damage Control Assistant, part of Crew Swerve where he participated in the 2012 homeport shift to Bahrain and subsequent deployment to Fifth Fleet.
In 2014, he rotated to Basic Division Officer Course in San Diego, California where he served as the Academic Director and Engineering and Force Protection lead instructor.
Upon completion of Department Head School in 2015, he reported to USS Higgins (DDG 76) as the Weapons officer and follow-on fleet-up to Combat Systems Officer, completing two independent Ballistic Missile Defense deployments to Fifth Fleet.

Returning to shore duty, he reported to Commander, Third Fleet in January of 2019 as Integrated Air and Missile Defense lead and Fleet Battle Watch Captain.
He returned to sea duty in November of 2022 as the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, and Intelligence (C5I) Head of Department aboard USS Tripoli (LHA7), completing a year-long selected restricted availability (SRA), Basic Phase, and successful LFWAP (Live Fire with a Purpose) exercise.

Plank reported as Executive Officer of Navy Talent Acquisition Group Southwest, headquartered in San Diego, California, May 2025.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), and various other individual, unit, campaign and service awards. He is most proud of those awards that reflect the hard work and success of the many teams he has been privileged to serve with.