Billy C. Sanders
Encyclopedia
Billy C. Sanders was the fifth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
. After graduating from high school, he initially began his military career by joining the United States Air Force
in February 1954. Upon being discharged in 1957, Master Chief Sanders joined the Air Force Reserve. He attended Huntington College in Montgomery from January to May 1958.
Master Chief Sanders enlisted in the United States Navy
on 9 May 1958, and after receiving his clothing issue at Charleston, South Carolina
, he was transferred to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) at NAS Memphis, Tennessee
, to attend Aviation Electronics Technician
"A" School. Upon graduation from "A" school at NATTC Glynco, Georgia
, he reported for duty as an enlisted aircrewman on EC-121 type aircraft. He advanced to Petty Officer Third Class
on 16 December 1959, and to Petty Officer Second Class
on 16 November 1962.
Master Chief Sanders was transferred in March 1964 to attend an instructor training course at Memphis, and ultimately reported to Naval Air Maintenance Training Detachment (NAMTD) 1099 at NAS Key West, Florida
, as an Anti-Submarine
Warfare Systems Instructor. He returned to NATTC Memphis in June 1967 as a student, completing the avionics “B” school in February 1968. He advanced to Chief Petty Officer
on 16 February 1968.
Reconnaissance and Maintenance Squadron One, homeported at Atsugi, Japan, was the Master Chief’s next assignment from May 1968 until June 1971. While serving as detachment CPO at Da Nang
, Vietnam, Master Chief Sanders received two Air Medal
s and the Combat Action Ribbon
. He advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer
on 1 March 1971.
In May 1971, Master Chief Sanders was transferred to Naval Air Maintenance Training Detachment 1002 at NAS Albany, Georgia, and later at NAS Key West. He served as an instructor on RA-5C aircraft and Leading CPO during this tour. The Master Chief advanced to Master Chief Avionics Technician in August 1974. Master Chief Sanders reported to Fighter Squadron 151 aboard USS Midway
(CV-41) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, in September 1974 where he served as maintenance chief on F-4N
aircraft and as Command Master Chief. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal during this tour.
Master Chief Sanders was transferred to NAS Pensacola, Florida
, in October 1977 where he served as Air Operations Maintenance Chief until March 1978. He then served as Command Master Chief for NAS Pensacola and Training Air Wing Six.
Sanders had been one of the six final candidates for selection as the fourth MCPON in 1979 but then-Chief of Naval Operations
Admiral
Thomas B. Hayward
selected AFCM Thomas S. Crow
for the job.
The Master Chief reported to Naval Air Facility Lajes
, Azores
, in February 1980 where he served as the maintenance chief and as Command Master Chief. During this tour, he received the Navy Commendation Medal. As he neared the end of his MCPON tour, Master Chief Crow suggested that Sanders apply again for selection as MCPON. Sanders declined but his Commanding Officer
at Lajes nominated him anyway. Sanders transferred to the Naval Education and Training Program Development Center Saufley Field
at Pensacola, Florida
in February 1982 to serve as the Special Projects Division Officer, then on 16 July 1982, the new Chief of Naval Operations
, Admiral
James D. Watkins
, announced that he had selected AFCM Billy Sanders as the fifth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. He was sworn in 1 October 1982.
During MCPON Sanders' tenure, the grooming standards for sailors made a major change, as males were no longer authorized to wear beards. The first modern Navy instruction governing physical readiness (OPNAVINST 6110.1) was written, the forerunner of the instruction still in use. Yearly physical readiness tests became mandatory, and body composition standards were introduced to the fleet. These tests late became bi-annual requirements. The Vietnam
-era GI Bill had expired, and the modern GI Bill, which helps fund college educations for active duty military members and veterans, was created. MCPON Sanders made combating Navy voter apathy a top priority. In his travels around the fleet, Sanders encouraged sailors to get involved in the government they served. He advocated writing to their Congressional representatives to make their voice heard. He also stressed the role of senior enlisted leadership in the Navy chain of command.
MCPON Sanders was relieved by the sixth MCPON, William H. Plackett
, on 4 October 1985, as Sanders retired from active duty. He serves today as the executive assistant to the executive vice president of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation in Pensacola, Florida. His wife, Mozelle, died in 1990.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Navy, which has a paygrade of E-9. The holder of this rank and post is the most senior enlisted member of the U.S...
. After graduating from high school, he initially began his military career by joining the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
in February 1954. Upon being discharged in 1957, Master Chief Sanders joined the Air Force Reserve. He attended Huntington College in Montgomery from January to May 1958.
Master Chief Sanders enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
on 9 May 1958, and after receiving his clothing issue at Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, he was transferred to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) at NAS Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, to attend Aviation Electronics Technician
Aviation Electronics Technican (United States Navy rating)
Aviation Electronics Technician is a US Navy enlisted rating or job specialty . At the paygrade of E-9 ATs merge with the Aviation Electrician's Mate rating to become Avionics Technicians . There has been talk of completely merging the two ratings but as of yet no definite plans have been...
"A" School. Upon graduation from "A" school at NATTC Glynco, Georgia
Glynco, Georgia
Glynco is an area in Glynn County, Georgia located on the northwestern edge of Brunswick, GA. Glynco is a contraction of the words "Glynn County".In 1942 the Naval Air Station Glynco was established on the area now known as Glynco...
, he reported for duty as an enlisted aircrewman on EC-121 type aircraft. He advanced to Petty Officer Third Class
Petty Officer Third Class
U.S. NavyGood conductvariationU.S. NavyPetty officerthird classinsigniaPetty officer third class is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above seaman and below petty officer second class, and is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer, equivalent to a corporal in...
on 16 December 1959, and to Petty Officer Second Class
Petty Officer Second Class
Good conductvariation,Petty OfficerSecond Classinsignia&U.S. Coast GuardPetty officer second class is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S...
on 16 November 1962.
Master Chief Sanders was transferred in March 1964 to attend an instructor training course at Memphis, and ultimately reported to Naval Air Maintenance Training Detachment (NAMTD) 1099 at NAS Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, as an Anti-Submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
Warfare Systems Instructor. He returned to NATTC Memphis in June 1967 as a student, completing the avionics “B” school in February 1968. He advanced to Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
on 16 February 1968.
Reconnaissance and Maintenance Squadron One, homeported at Atsugi, Japan, was the Master Chief’s next assignment from May 1968 until June 1971. While serving as detachment CPO at Da Nang
Da Nang
Đà Nẵng , occasionally Danang, is a major port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam; its well-sheltered, easily accessible port and its location on the path of...
, Vietnam, Master Chief Sanders received two Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s and the Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...
. He advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer
Senior Chief Petty Officer
U.S. Coast GuardSenior ChiefPetty Officercollar deviceU.S. Coast GuardSenior ChiefPetty OfficerinsigniaGood conductvariationSenior ChiefPetty OfficerinsigniaSenior ChiefPetty Officercollar device...
on 1 March 1971.
In May 1971, Master Chief Sanders was transferred to Naval Air Maintenance Training Detachment 1002 at NAS Albany, Georgia, and later at NAS Key West. He served as an instructor on RA-5C aircraft and Leading CPO during this tour. The Master Chief advanced to Master Chief Avionics Technician in August 1974. Master Chief Sanders reported to Fighter Squadron 151 aboard USS Midway
USS Midway
USS Midway may refer to:, which was the Oritani and then the Tyree before being chartered as a general auxiliary in 1942, renamed to Panay in 1943, and returned to her owner in 1946...
(CV-41) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, in September 1974 where he served as maintenance chief on F-4N
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
aircraft and as Command Master Chief. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal during this tour.
Master Chief Sanders was transferred to NAS Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, in October 1977 where he served as Air Operations Maintenance Chief until March 1978. He then served as Command Master Chief for NAS Pensacola and Training Air Wing Six.
Sanders had been one of the six final candidates for selection as the fourth MCPON in 1979 but then-Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Thomas B. Hayward
Thomas B. Hayward
Admiral Thomas Bibb Hayward was Chief of Naval Operations for the United States Navy from July 1, 1978, until June 30, 1982, after which he retired from military service. He is a 1947 graduate of the United States Naval Academy...
selected AFCM Thomas S. Crow
Thomas S. Crow
Thomas Sherman Crow , fourth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy was born in 1934, in McArthur, Ohio, and graduated from McArthur High School in 1952. He died at his home in San Diego, California on November 30, 2008...
for the job.
The Master Chief reported to Naval Air Facility Lajes
Lajes
Lajes is Portuguese for "covering of flat rock", or "flagstone", and may refer to:=*Lajes, Rio Grande do Norte*Lages, Santa Catarina , Brazil*Lajes Pintadas, Rio Grande do Norte- Archipelago of the Azores :...
, Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
, in February 1980 where he served as the maintenance chief and as Command Master Chief. During this tour, he received the Navy Commendation Medal. As he neared the end of his MCPON tour, Master Chief Crow suggested that Sanders apply again for selection as MCPON. Sanders declined but his Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
at Lajes nominated him anyway. Sanders transferred to the Naval Education and Training Program Development Center Saufley Field
Saufley Field
Saufley Field is a military airport located five nautical miles west of the central business district of Pensacola, in Escambia County, Florida, United States. It is an active U.S...
at Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
in February 1982 to serve as the Special Projects Division Officer, then on 16 July 1982, the new Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
James D. Watkins
James D. Watkins
Admiral James David Watkins is a retired United States Navy officer and former Chief of Naval Operations who also served as U.S. Secretary of Energy during the George H. W. Bush Administration and chaired U.S. government commissions on HIV/AIDS and ocean policy. Watkins has also served on the...
, announced that he had selected AFCM Billy Sanders as the fifth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. He was sworn in 1 October 1982.
During MCPON Sanders' tenure, the grooming standards for sailors made a major change, as males were no longer authorized to wear beards. The first modern Navy instruction governing physical readiness (OPNAVINST 6110.1) was written, the forerunner of the instruction still in use. Yearly physical readiness tests became mandatory, and body composition standards were introduced to the fleet. These tests late became bi-annual requirements. The Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
-era GI Bill had expired, and the modern GI Bill, which helps fund college educations for active duty military members and veterans, was created. MCPON Sanders made combating Navy voter apathy a top priority. In his travels around the fleet, Sanders encouraged sailors to get involved in the government they served. He advocated writing to their Congressional representatives to make their voice heard. He also stressed the role of senior enlisted leadership in the Navy chain of command.
MCPON Sanders was relieved by the sixth MCPON, William H. Plackett
William H. Plackett
William H. Plackett grew up in Paxton, Illinois, and enlisted in the United States Navy on October 18, 1956. After graduation from recruit training, he attended radioman "A" school in Norfolk, Virginia....
, on 4 October 1985, as Sanders retired from active duty. He serves today as the executive assistant to the executive vice president of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation in Pensacola, Florida. His wife, Mozelle, died in 1990.