In the late 1990s, Zinke paid back the Navy $211 after improperly billing the government for personal travel expenses. Zinke's former commanding officer, now-retired Vice Admiral Albert M. Calland III, stated that as a result, Zinke received a June 1999 Fitness Report that blocked him from being promoted to a commanding officer position, or to the rank of captain.[19][20] Zinke acknowledged the error but maintains that the incident did not adversely affect his career.[19] His promotion from lieutenant commander to commander was approved the following year.[21]