Command Master Chief
CMDCM Joshua "JD" Cannon
Command Master Chief Joshua Cannon, a native of Ayden, North Carolina, graduated from Ayden-Grifton High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 2006. After completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended Aviation Support Equipment Technician "A" school at Naval Aviation Training Command Pensacola, Florida, followed by his first tour of duty at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast detachment Jacksonville, Florida.
Following Shore Duty, he received orders to USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2009 where he deployed to 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
In 2013, he was selected to serve as a Recruit Division Commander at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, where he trained 10 Recruit Divisions, earned a Distinguished Leadership Award, and earned his Master Training Specialist qualification. He then transferred to USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in January 2017 where he was selected to Chief Petty Officer and served as Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department’s IM-4 Division Leading Chief Petty Officer. He deployed to 5th and 6th Fleet AOR in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In 2022, he arrived on board Fleet Readiness Center West, Lemoore, California, as Support Equipment Division’s Leading Chief Petty Officer. In 2024, he was selected for the Command Master Chief Program and was assigned to USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) in Norfolk Virginia.
Cannon is currently assigned to the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 on Naval Air Station Oceana as the Command Master Chief.
He is a graduate of the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 251 (Grey Team), and the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat course, class 24140, Newport, Rhode Island. He has earned his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist, and Master Training Specialist designations and holds a General Studies associate’s degree from Columbia College of Missouri.
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit and campaign awards.