Commander, New York Naval Militia Western Command
Captain Jim Gerlach is a native of Buffalo, New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Rochester and received his commission through the NROTC program in 1988. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in October 2020 after 32 years of service. He retired from Navy Civilian service in August 2026 after serving as the Innovation and Future Capabilities Branch Head in the Navy Office of Culture and Force Resilience on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.
His active duty Navy assignments included Combat Information Center Officer and Damage Control Assistant on USS Newport (LST 1179); Executive Assistant to the Director for Joint Training, U.S. Atlantic Command (J7); Intelligence Collection Manager, U.S. Atlantic Command (J2); Executive Officer, Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center Buffalo; Garrison Commander, Camp Mike Spann, Afghanistan; Maritime Security Division Chief, Joint Staff (J5); Director, Navy Operations Center (OPNAV N310); Deputy Director, Industry Best Practices Working Group; Innovation and Future Operations, 21st Century Sailor Office (OPNAV N17); and Deputy Chief of Staff, Task Force One Navy.
His Navy Reserve assignments included Training Officer and Intelligence Analyst, Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters 0705; Executive Officer, NR AD-41 DET 23; Executive Officer, NR COMPHIBRON SIX DET 605; Executive Officer, Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT) DET 205; Commanding Officer, COMLOG WESTPAC DET 610; Lead Facilitator, COMNAVSURFLANT Afloat Culture Workshop Detachment; Commanding Officer, COMNAVSURFPAC Readiness HQ; Chief of Staff, Surface Reserve Component (SRC) Executive Committee (EXCOM); Chief Staff Officer for Operations & Plans, CNO Management Analysis Unit; and Lead Facilitator, COMNAVSURFPAC Afloat Culture Workshop Detachment.
Captain Gerlach holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy State University, a Juris Doctor degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College. He completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I through the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College and JPME Phase II through Army War College.
Among his campaign and unit awards, his personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (2) and Army Achievement Medal. He is also a recipient of the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal.
As of: 17 Aug 2026