Command Master Chief
CMDCM Eric M. Kinnaman
A native of Greenfield, Indiana, Master Chief Petty Officer Kinnaman enlisted in the Navy in September of 1995. He completed basic training and reported to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Millington, Tennessee, for Aviation Electronics Technician “A” School, attended Naval Air Maintenance Training Group (NAMTRAGRU) Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance Program (FRAMP) School for the P-3 Orion, and was subse quently assigned to the “Gray Knights” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46. He reported in June of 1996 and completed three deployments.
After returning from deployment, he reported to Jacksonville, Florida, and the “Pro’s Nest” of VP-30. In May 2003, he was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class and received orders to the Bureau of Naval Personnel Sea Duty Component (BUPERS-SDC) Dallas, Texas. In August 2007, he was selected to join the ranks of the Chief Petty Officer, and was inducted at Naval Air Station (NAS) Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. Shortly after, he departed Texas for Brunswick, Maine, and the “Old Buzzards” of Special Projects Patrol Squadron (VPU) 1.
When NAS Brunswick closed due to base realignment and closure, he homeport-changed the “Old Buzzards” to NAS Jacksonville, Florida. In 2012, he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer and disestablished VPU-1.
After attending instructor training, he reported to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Jacksonville, Florida. In April 2014, he was designated as the senior enlisted leader for its civilian and military personnel. Here he attended the Senior Enlisted Academy, earned his Master Training Specialist designation, and was selected for Master Chief Petty Officer.
Kinnaman reported to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the aircraft intermediate maintenance department leading chief petty officer in July of 2015 where he deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and was selected into the Command Senior Enlisted Leader Program.
In August 2017, he reported to the “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 where he served as the command master chief, completing two deployments with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 onboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
Upon completion of deployment in August of 2020, Kinnaman assumed duties as NAS Corpus Christi’s command master chief, where he led his team to earn the 2022 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence.
Kinnaman reported to VPU-2 in August 2022 where he currently serves as the command senior enlisted leader.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (seven awards), Iraqi and Afghanistan campaign medals, and numerous other personal and unit awards.