Kurt Janke

A native of Tionesta, Pennsylvania, I enlisted into the US Navy submarine force in November 1988 and served in the Navy for over 31 years, retiring as a Commander in 2019.  I served as a submariner, a naval aviator and airborne dynamic strike mission commander.  As an aviator, I logged combat time in the E-2C over Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, accumulating over 1800 flight hours and over 300 carrier arrested landings.  My focus has always been a strong devotion to duty, service to others and my fellow service members.  As a disabled veteran I also understand that we don't stop serving after we leave the service. I regularly volunteer at church functions, Addicts Anonymous, Adaptive Rowing Annapolis, various youth programs, Travis Manion Foundation, Wounded Warrior and other community minded organizations.  After I came to terms that I wasn’t a Division I wrestler, I started rowing at Navy when my roommate told me that the crew team will take anyone. I rowed lightweights after seeing the monsters who were heavyweights, but I’ve failed to maintain that lightweight status over the years.  Regardless, I continue to press on and row, joining the Annapolis Rowing Club after retiring from active duty in 2019.