Command Master Chief
CMDCM Jeremy K. Byrd
Command Master Chief Jeremy K. Byrd is a native of Citronelle, Alabama. He enlisted in the Navy on July 1, 1997 and attended Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. He attended Naval Technical Training Center, Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida for Electronic Warfare (EW) “A” School and graduated with honors in December of 1998. In 2005, he received a degree in Applied Science from Excelsior College, and is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 148 Green Group and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat course 206.
In January 1999, he reported to his first sea command aboard USS Decatur (DDG 73), serving as AN/SLQ-32A(V)3 Technician and Operator. In June 2006, he reported to USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) as the leading chief petty officer of Operations Tactical Division. Under his leadership, Roosevelt’s highly effective Passive Countermeasures Maintenance System (PCMS) was nominated by Southeast Regional Maintenance Center and Commander Destroyer Squadron 24 as the 2006 and 2007 PCMS Ship of the Year, and was lauded in trade publications for its effectiveness. In November 2013, he accepted orders to Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 12 and served as the CCSG 12 senior enlisted advisor and N6/N39 leading chief petty officer. He led CCSG 12 through a demanding training cycle, culminating in an around-the-world deployment aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). His leadership was directly responsible for integrating Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare principles into an operational environment, resulting in Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group producing more Tactical Electronic Intelligence Reports in one deployment than any strike group in history. Following two tours serving in the role of command senior enlisted leader (CSEL)/advisor, he decided to join the CSEL program officially. After selection, he joined the pre-commissioning crew of USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), where he served as command maser chief (CMC) until his departure in February 2021. After 23 years in the surface community, Byrd joined the aviation community, and is currently serving as the CMC of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26.
In September 2002, he transferred to the Center for Cryptology, Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida for duty as an EW “A” and “C” School instructor. Within this successful tour, he was designated a master training specialist, and in September 2005 was selected to chief petty officer. Following a successful sea tour, he transferred to Afloat Training Group (ATG) Mayport as the lead EW assessor. In this capacity, he spearheaded a revolution in EW training for ATG under the new Surface Force Readiness Manual, resulting in a streamlined training cycle and improved EW readiness for all surface ships. In September 2016, he reported to Joint Forces Staff College as the CSEL and faculty for the Joint Command and Control Information Operations School.
His earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist, and Aviation Warfare Specialist designations. Decorations include the Joint Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendations Medal (2 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 Awards), and various unit and campaign awards.