Commander Kevin Mannix is a native of Lindenhurst, New York, and a 1981 graduate of Lindenhurst High School where he lettered in golf and received All-League recognition for lacrosse in his senior year. He is a 1986 graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science/Mathematics and a Third Mate License from the United States Coast Guard. While there, he played lacrosse and received Division III All-American recognition in 1986. He was commissioned through the United States Naval Reserve/Merchant Marine Reserve commissioning program, and began his aviation training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, in September 1986. He continued his training at nearby NAS Whiting Field and NAS Kingsville, Texas, flying the T-34 Mentor, T-2 Buckeye and A-4 Skyhawk. Kevin received his wings of gold in August 1988 in Kingsville, Texas, and went on to fly the A-7E Corsair II at NAS Lemoore, California.

Following completion of Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training in June 1989 at Attack Squadron 122 (VA-122), Kevin reported to the "Warhawks" of VA-97, where he deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for Pacific Exercise (PACEX) 89 and Western Pacific (WESTPAC) 90. Upon completion of WESTPAC in August 1990, he transferred and deployed two weeks later with VA-46 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in direct response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. He remained on deployment through March 1991 until the completion of Operation Desert Storm. Kevin flew 20 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, including the Night One Strike on Baghdad.

In April 1991, Kevin reported for F/A-18 transition training to the "Sharpshooters" of Marine Strike Fighter Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro and remained on as an instructor and landing signal officer (LSO). In June 1993 he reported to Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) as the CAG LSO. During this tour, he also served as the Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) "Fist of the Fleet" safety officer and training officer, completed the TOPGUN Power Projection course and deployed twice aboard USS Carl Vinson as a CAG LSO in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In July 1996, Kevin reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific (SFWSPAC) and served as a staff Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) until November 1998. After completion of Aviation Safety Officer School in February 1998, he reported as a department head and again deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch in 1998 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). While at VFA-25 he served as the safety, administration, maintenance and operations officer.

Kevin returned to SFWSPAC and served as the operations officer from May 2000 until October 2002 when he reported to Commander, Fifth Fleet in Bahrain for contingency planning until February 2003. Kevin then reported to the VFA-27 "Royal Maces," forward deployed in Atsugi, Japan, as the Executive Officer in December 2003 and assumed command in March of 2005. Under his command, the "Royal Maces" were recognized by COMNAVAIRPAC for the 2005 Battle "E," the CNO Safety "S," Association of Naval Aviation McClusky Award for attack excellence and the Golden Anchor for retention excellence. Kevin was the recipient of the Navy and Marine Association Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Leadership Award for 2000-2001 as a lieutenant commander and again in 2004-2005 as a commander.

Kevin completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase (JPME 1) through the Air Force Air Command and Staff College in July 2006 and attended the Joint Forces Staff College, in Norfolk, Virginia, completing his studies at the Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JPME 2) in August 2006.