Commander Zachary "Snooki" Miller is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia. He was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the Virginia Military Institute where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2006. CDR Miller earned his Wings of Gold in February 2009. Following initial flight training he reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 for MH-60R Fleet Replacement training.
In 2010 CDR Miller was assigned to "Raptors" of HSM 71 of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 for his first operational sea duty tour flying the MH-60R. He deployed twice as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 to the FIFTH and SEVENTH fleet areas of operation (AOR) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), and USS Mobile Bay (CG 53). Duties there included Ground Safety Officer, Assistant Training Officer, Detachment Operations Officer, Detachment Maintenance Officer and Squadron NATOPS Officer.
In his first shore duty assignment, CDR Miller served as a MH-60R Instructor Pilot with the "Seahawks" of HSM 41 from 2013 to 2015 where he served as the PAO, Admin Officer, and Training Device Officer.
In 2015 CDR Miller completed a second operational sea duty tour with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8) deploying to the FIFTH fleet AOR, where he held the position of Fuels Officer, Hangar Deck Officer, and Assistant Air Officer. Additionally serving as the Officer of The Deck underway.
CDR Miller reported to the "Wolfpack" of HSM 75 in 2017 for his Department Head tour deploying to the SEVENTH Fleet AOR aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as part of CSG 9. He served as the Safety Officer, Training Officer and Detachment One Officer-in-Charge. He finished his tour at HSM 75 serving as the Maintenance Officer during the Commander Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific Maintenance Program Assist and Commander Naval Air Forces Aviation Maintenance Inspection, receiving the CVW 11 Golden Wrench Award.
In June 2020 CDR Miller reported to the Naval School of Aviation Safety and served as the Fix-Wing Aerodynamics Instructor and the Admin Department Head. While in Pensacola, FL CDR Miller also served as an Associate Instructor flying the T-6A with Training Squadron Ten (VT-10) and the C-172 with Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation (NIFE).
In August 2023 CDR Miller reported to CSG-9 as the Force Protection Officer (FPO) to deploy to the SEVENTH fleet AOR. CDR reported to Training Air Wing FOUR in May 2025 and is currently serving as the Chief Staff Officer.
CDR Miller is a graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology and earned a Master of Science in Aerodynamics. He has flown over 2500 flight hours and holds Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, and Commercial Pilot Certificates for fix and rotary-wing aircraft. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.