Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Encyclopedia
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON, pronounced "mik-pon") 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. Navy, equivalent to the Sergeant Major of the Army
, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
. He is appointed by the Chief of Naval Operations
to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of enlisted personnel to the highest positions in the Navy. As such, he is the senior enlisted advisor
to the Chief of Naval Operations
as well as the Chief of Naval Personnel
. His exact duties vary, depending on the CNO, though he generally devotes much of his time to traveling throughout the Navy observing training and talking to sailors and their families. His personnel code is N00A as the senior enlisted advisor to Chief of Naval Operations and PERS-00D in his special advisory capacity to Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel and Training). In 1988, the MCPON's spouse was made the Ombudsman-at-Large, authorizing her to travel around the fleet with her husband, representing the interests of the spouses of enlisted members. While the MCPON is a non-commissioned officer, this billet
is protocol equivalent to a vice admiral
.
, and San Diego, California
, to voice their concerns, complaints, and recommendations to the top levels of the Navy. The response was overwhelming; Navy leaders realized that they were out of touch with what the sailor on the deckplate was truly feeling. In order to provide a permanent channel for the enlisted force to provide input to their senior leadership, the Navy acted on a suggestion to create a "Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Navy" who would have a direct dialogue channel with all enlisted sailors and represent their interests. Initially, the post was known as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Navy, and on 13 January 1967 GMCM Delbert Black
was selected to serve a four year term in that capacity. On April 28 of the same year, Black's title was changed to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy to bring the Navy in line with the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, which had created equivalent positions in 1957 and July 1966 respectively. MCPON Black's duties were to the Chief of Naval Personnel; all subsequent MCPONs reported to both the CNO and CNP.
During his tour, the MCPON adds a third silver star above the gold anchor on his collar and cap devices, and wears a rating badge consisting of a silver eagle ("crow") atop three inverted gold chevrons and rocker, and three inverted gold stars above the eagle. The MCPON's rating specialty mark is replaced by a single inverted gold star. He will also wear the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge
on his uniform.
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
rank 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...
, which has a paygrade of E-9. The holder of this rank and post is the most senior enlisted member of the U.S. Navy, equivalent to the Sergeant Major of the Army
Sergeant Major of the Army
The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an Army NCO is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, when in that case that NCO will be the most senior...
, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests,...
, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique non-commissioned rank and billet in the United States Marine Corps....
, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Coast Guard.The holder of this rank and post is the senior enlisted member of the U.S...
, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is a military position within the United States Department of Defense and is the most senior noncommissioned or petty officer overall in the United States Armed Forces...
. He is appointed by the 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...
to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of enlisted personnel to the highest positions in the Navy. As such, he is the senior enlisted advisor
Senior Enlisted Advisor
A Senior Enlisted Advisor in the United States armed forces is the most senior enlisted service member in a unit, and acts as an advisor to the commanding officer. Most units will have a formal billet for the senior enlisted advisor, from a platoon's platoon sergeant to the Senior Enlisted Advisor...
to the 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...
as well as the Chief of Naval Personnel
Chief of Naval Personnel
The Chief of Naval Personnel is responsible for overall manpower readiness for the United States Navy. The CNP also serves as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and is one of four Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations, with the identification of N1/NT...
. His exact duties vary, depending on the CNO, though he generally devotes much of his time to traveling throughout the Navy observing training and talking to sailors and their families. His personnel code is N00A as the senior enlisted advisor to Chief of Naval Operations and PERS-00D in his special advisory capacity to Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel and Training). In 1988, the MCPON's spouse was made the Ombudsman-at-Large, authorizing her to travel around the fleet with her husband, representing the interests of the spouses of enlisted members. While the MCPON is a non-commissioned officer, this billet
Billet
A billet is a term for living quarters to which a soldier is assigned to sleep. Historically, it referred to a private dwelling that was required to accept the soldier....
is protocol equivalent to a vice admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
.
Origin
In 1966, the opportunity was given to sailors in the Navy's two largest concentration areas, Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, and San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, to voice their concerns, complaints, and recommendations to the top levels of the Navy. The response was overwhelming; Navy leaders realized that they were out of touch with what the sailor on the deckplate was truly feeling. In order to provide a permanent channel for the enlisted force to provide input to their senior leadership, the Navy acted on a suggestion to create a "Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Navy" who would have a direct dialogue channel with all enlisted sailors and represent their interests. Initially, the post was known as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Navy, and on 13 January 1967 GMCM Delbert Black
Delbert Black
Delbert D. Black was the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, from 13 January 1967 to 1 April 1971.-Biography:Black was born in Orr, Oklahoma, graduating from high school in 1940...
was selected to serve a four year term in that capacity. On April 28 of the same year, Black's title was changed to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy to bring the Navy in line with the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, which had created equivalent positions in 1957 and July 1966 respectively. MCPON Black's duties were to the Chief of Naval Personnel; all subsequent MCPONs reported to both the CNO and CNP.
MCPON Insignia
| MCPON insignia | ||
 |
 |
|
| Sleeve | Collar | Badge Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge is an identification badge of the United States Navy which is presented to the Master Chief of the Navy upon assuming office. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge is the highest in a series of Chief Petty Officer Identification Badges... |
During his tour, the MCPON adds a third silver star above the gold anchor on his collar and cap devices, and wears a rating badge consisting of a silver eagle ("crow") atop three inverted gold chevrons and rocker, and three inverted gold stars above the eagle. The MCPON's rating specialty mark is replaced by a single inverted gold star. He will also wear the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge is an identification badge of the United States Navy which is presented to the Master Chief of the Navy upon assuming office. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge is the highest in a series of Chief Petty Officer Identification Badges...
on his uniform.
Master Chief Petty Officers of the Navy
| No. | MCPON | Photo | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MCPON Delbert Black Delbert Black Delbert D. Black was the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, from 13 January 1967 to 1 April 1971.-Biography:Black was born in Orr, Oklahoma, graduating from high school in 1940... |
1967-01-13 – 1971-04-01 | |
| 2 | MCPON(NAC/CAC) John "Jack" Whittet John Whittet Master Chief Petty Officer John D. Whittet was the second Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.-Career:Whittet enlisted in the United States Navy on March 24, 1943, and upon completion of recruit training, was assigned to the Aviation Machinist’s Mate School in Great Lakes, Illinois... |
1971-04-01 – 1975-09-25 | |
| 3 | MCPON Robert Walker Robert Walker (USN) Robert J. Walker, known as Bob Walker, was the third Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. He was born in Baldwin, New York and attended grammar and high school in Oxford, New York.-Career:... |
1975-09-25 – 1979-09-28 | |
| 4 | MCPON(NAC) 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... |
1979-09-28 – 1982-10-01 | |
| 5 | MCPON(NAC) Billy C. Sanders Billy C. Sanders 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... |
1982-10-01 – 1985-10-04 | |
| 6 | MCPON(SW) 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.... |
1985-10-04 – 1988-09-09 | |
| 7 | MCPON(AW/NAC) Duane R. Bushey Duane R. Bushey Duane R. Bushey was the seventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. Following graduation from Wicomico High School in Salisbury, Maryland, he enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1962.... |
1988-09-09 – 1992-08-28 | |
| 8 | MCPON(SW/PJ) John Hagan | 1992-08-28 – 1998-03-27 | |
| 9 | MCPON(SS/SW/AW) James L. Herdt James L. Herdt James Lee Herdt , the ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy was appointed on March 27, 1998. A native of Casper, Wyoming, Herdt enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1966... |
1998-03-27 – 2002-04-22 | |
| 10 | MCPON(SS/AW) Terry D. Scott Terry D. Scott Terry D. Scott was the tenth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy from April 22, 2002 until July 10, 2006.-Biography:Scott was born in Buffalo, Missouri. Before enlisting in the Navy, he lived in Louisburg, Kansas. He joined the Navy in December 1976. He has served on several naval ships almost... |
2002-04-22 – 2006-07-10 | |
| 11 | MCPON(SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa Joe R. Campa Joe R. Campa, Jr., was the 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy.-Education:Campa is a distinguished honor graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in May 2003 and completed the Command Sergeants Major... |
 |
2006-07-10 – 2008-12-12 |
| 12 | MCPON(SS/SW) Rick D. West Rick D. West Rick D. West is the 12th and current Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy . On December 12, 2008, West accepted the passing of the ceremonial cutlass from outgoing MCPON Joe R. Campa-Early life and naval career:... |
 |
2008-12-12 – |
See also
- Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is a military position within the United States Department of Defense and is the most senior noncommissioned or petty officer overall in the United States Armed Forces...
- Chief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceChief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceThe Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests,...
- Sergeant Major of the ArmySergeant Major of the ArmyThe Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an Army NCO is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, when in that case that NCO will be the most senior...
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardThe Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Coast Guard.The holder of this rank and post is the senior enlisted member of the U.S...
- Sergeant Major of the Marine CorpsSergeant Major of the Marine CorpsSergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique non-commissioned rank and billet in the United States Marine Corps....