Command Master Chief
CMDCM (AW/NAC/SW) Esmelin A. Villar
Command Master Chief Villar is a native of Salcedo, Dominican Republic. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High school in Bronx, New York, in 2000. He enlisted in the United States Navy Delayed Entry Program in October 2001. He completed basic training in Great Lakes,Illinois, in January 2002. After basic training, he reported to USS Sacramento (AOE 1) as a deck seaman. After six months he struck for Naval Aircrewmen and then received orders to report to Naval Air Station Pensacola where he completed Naval Aircrew Candidate School, Aviation Rescue Swimmer School, and Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator “A” School. Upon graduation of “A” School in 2002, he was promoted to Petty Officer 3rd Class. He transferred to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 40 in Mayport, Florida, where he completed the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter Fleet Replacement Aircrewman syllabus.
In December 2003, he reported to HSL-37 in Kaneohe, Hawaii, where he deployed in April 2005 aboard USS Lake Erie (CG 70) with Detachment 5 for five months. In October 2005, he was assigned to Detachment 3 aboard USS Chosin (CG 65) for six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He qualified as an SH-60B Plane Captain and earned his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. During detachment, he was selected as the 2006 Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) Aircrewman of the Year. He was also meritoriously advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class. He deployed in November 2007 on USS Chosin with Detachment 4 as the Lead Aircrewman for a seven-month cruise.
In January 2008, he reported to HSL-40 in Mayport, Florida, where he trained Fleet Replacement Aircrewman (FRAC) as an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter fleet replacement squadron instructor. He earned his Master Training Specialist and was selected as Instructor of the Quarter. He then was assigned duties as the Student Schedules writer responsible for the scheduling of more than 60 FRAC students. His efforts resulted in his selection as 2009 HSL-40 Junior Sailor of the Year.
In June 2011, he reported to HSL-60 in Mayport, Florida. He deployed aboard USS Elrod (FFG 55) for the first ever Navy Night Airborne Use of Force (AUF) Counter Drug Operations detachment which resulted in the seizure of over a billion dollars’ worth of Drugs. He also served as the squadron Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Instructor. During his time in this command, he also advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class and received his Safe for Flight qualification. Here, he was selected as Sailor of the Year 2015. In December 2015, he reported to HSM-40 in Mayport, Florida, where he trained FRAC as an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter FRS Instructor and advanced to Chief Petty Officer. In February 2019, he was selected to become a Naval Air Force Atlantic Search and Rescue evaluator where he was part of team that re-wrote publications used in day-to-day operations.
In February 2021, he reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48 in Mayport, Florida, where he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. He served as the command Operation Lead Chief Petty Officer, Command Managed Equal Opportunity and Command Fitness Leader. He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 247. In 2024, he was selected for the Command Senior Chief program then filled a gapped Command Master Chief billet at HSM-40 for eight months. Then he received orders and reported in September 2024 to be the Senior Enlisted Leader on board USS Nantucket (LCS 27). In March 2025 he was selected to be a Command Master Chief.
Villar now serves as the Command Master Chief of HSM-50 as of October 2025.
He has earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University. His personal decorations include Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (five awards), and various unit and campaign awards.