Command Master Chief
CMDCM Christopher Smith
Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Smith is a native of Dothan, Alabama, and graduated in 1993 from Geneva County High School in Hartford, Alabama. He enlisted in the Navy in 1993 and received basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. He then completed Aviation Electronics Technician “A” School in Millington, Tennessee.
In 1995 he reported to his first duty assignment with Patrol Squadron (VP) 1, in Whidbey Island, Washington, to work on the P-3C. During that tour he earned his Project Bear Trap Technician and flew missions on temporary flight orders, and he earned his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and collateral duty inspector qualifications. He was deployed to Afghanistan, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Diego Garcia, South Korea, Thailand, Guam, and Japan in the Western Pacific, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean in support of Operations Southern Watch and Desert Strike.
He reported to Naval Research Laboratory Flight Support Detachment in 2000 where he served as weapons systems technician and collateral duty quality assurance representative at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
He then reported to BUPERS Sea Duty Component in 2003 in Dallas, Texas. He performed duties as avionics leading petty officer, full systems quality assurance representative, maintenance controller with safe-for-flight authorization, and detachment leading petty officer. He was then selected and advanced to Chief Petty Officer in September 2007.
He chose orders in 2007 to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) in Jacksonville, Florida, as a P-3C instructor. He served as the avionics O-level (AVO) leading chief petty officer. During that tour he earned his Master Training Specialist Qualification in 2009.
Smith reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 in Lemoore, California, in 2011. He performed duties as avionics/armament, aircraft line, flight deck coordinator, and maintenance control leading chief petty officer. He completed two deployments onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Operations New Dawn, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. He completed his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification and was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer in June 2012.
He then completed Recruit Division Commander “C” School and reported to Officer Training Command Newport in June of 2015 where he trained four Officer Candidate School classes and served as the senior enlisted leader for almost two years. He was then selected to be a command senior chief in February of 2017.
Smith reported to NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville in April of 2018 where he first served as the command senior chief. He was then advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer in May of 2018 and detached in 2021.
Smith reported to the “Fighting Tigers” of VP-8 on April 14, 2021 where he currently serves as the command master chief.
Smith’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards), and various campaign and service medals.