Lieutenant Commander Nikodym enlisted in the Navy in February 1985, attending basic training at Pensacola, Fla. Following Personnelman "A" School in Meridian, Miss., and Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, Conn., he reported for duty to the first of four consecutive submarines in October 1985. He earned the enlisted submarine warfare insignia during his tour aboard USS PUFFER (SSN 652), home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from October 1985 to January 1987. Subsequently, he served aboard USS QUEENFISH (SSN 651), home ported in Pearl Harbor, from January 1987 to May 1989. During this tour he was meritoriously (Command) advanced to PN2 (SS). His next assignment was as Leading Yeoman aboard USS HAWKBILL (SSN 666), also home ported in Pearl Harbor, from May 1989 to January 1992. During this assignment, he changed rates to Yeoman and was meritoriously (Command) advanced to YN1 (SS). Next, he was assigned to the USS DOLPHIN (AGSS 555), home ported in San Diego, Calif., from May 1992 to May 1994, serving a second consecutive Leading Yeoman tour. During this assignment he was selected as Sailor of the Year for 1993 and earned the Deep Submergence Insignia.

His initial shore assignment was at the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Pers-403) where he served as the Administrative Officer, Homeport Change Coordinator, Decommissioning Coordinator, Submarine Tender Manning Monitor and New Construction Detailer from June 1994 to October 1995. During this tour he accomplished two major professional milestones; he was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (YNC (SS)) and was selected for commissioning under the Limited Duty Officer Program.

Commissioned an ensign on 1 October 1995, and after a three-week Officer Indoctrination Course at Pensacola, Fla., his first assignment as an officer was as Head of the Military Personnel Branch at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Command in Washington, DC, where he served from November 1995 to January 1998. During this assignment, he also served as the Public Inquiries and Community Relations Chief for the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee of 1997. His next assignment was as Administrative Officer and Executive Department Head aboard USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40), home ported in Agana, Guam, from February 1998 to May 2000. On this tour he earned his Surface Warfare Officer designation. He was next assigned to the staff of Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN (CTF-74/54), in Yokosuka, Japan, as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and Personnel (N1) from June 2000 to December 2002. In addition to his primary duties, he served as Staff Executive Officer and Public Affairs Officer. During this assignment he applied for and was accepted into the Human Resources officer program.

His next assignment was as the Operations Officer, Charlotte MEPS from January 2003 to May 2005. While assigned to this Joint Military Duty assignment he was responsible for the Medical and Administrative processing of nearly 10,000 applicants, of all branches, into the military. Lieutenant Commander Nikodym's assignment before assuming command of the Oklahoma City MEPS was as Training Officer, USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72).

Lieutenant Commander Nikodym is a graduate of the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College. He completed all requirements for a Bachelor's Degree from Excelsior University. He also earned an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, University College, and Certificates in Human Resource Management from Villanova University and City University. Additionally, he has been designated a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by the Society for Human Resource Management.

LCDR Nikodym's awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, six Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Navy Unit Commendation, six Meritorious Unit Commendations, and four Battle Efficiency "E" awards.