Command Master Chief
CMDCM (AW/SW/EXW) Derrick K. Cote
A native of Fall River, Massachusetts, Command Master Chief Derrick Cote enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February of 1993. Following Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, he graduated from the Basic Seaman Apprenticeship course and was assigned as an undesignated Seaman on board the USS Niagara Falls (AFS 3) in Agana, Guam.
In September 1994, Cote was selected to attend Dental Technician "A" School in San Diego, CA. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Trenton (LPD 14) in Norfolk, Virginia where he served until 1998. While on board the Trenton, he earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Qualification and was advanced to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class.
In March 1998, Cote transferred to Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE NLON), Connecticut where he served at the Branch Dental Clinic Northeast. From SUBASE NLON he was approved for conversion to the Master-at-Arms rating, and after graduating from Master-at-Arms "A" school in October 2001, Cote was assigned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Keflavik, Iceland, where he was advanced to the rank of Petty Officer First Class.
In November 2004, Cote reported for assignment to the Naval Submarine Base New London Police Precinct, where he served as a command criminal investigator, operations chief and finally as the senior enlisted leader. While assigned to SUBASE NLON, he deployed to Iraq in 2005 and again in 2007 as an individual augmentee in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cote served as a criminal investigator for Task Force 134 Detainee Operations in 2005 and was advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer while deployed. In 2007, he served as the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Task Force 134 Magistrates Cell. Prior to departing SUBASE NLON in 2008, Cote was advanced to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.
In August 2008, Cote was assigned to Naval Base Guam Security Detachment, Agana, Guam, where he served as the operations officer and senior enlisted leader. In March 2012, Cote was assigned as the chief master-at-arms on board the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While aboard the Enterprise, he earned his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Qualification and was advanced to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer.
Cote graduated from the Senior Enlisted Academy as an Honor Graduate in 2008 and was selected for the Command Master Chief program in 2012. In April 2013, he was assigned and served as the command master chief for the “World Famous Scorpions” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132, homeported in Whidbey Island, Washington. During his tenure the Scorpions, he successfully earned the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Battle “E,” CNO Safety “S”, Medical Blue “M” and the Retention Excellence Award.
In June of 2016, Cote was assigned and served as the command master chief for Coastal Riverine Group 1, Detachment Guam where he earned his Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Qualification. In August of 2018, Cote was assigned and served as the command master chief for Naval Weapons Station, Earle, NJ and is currently assigned and serving as the command master chief for Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1, home of the “Pioneers” onboard NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.
Cote’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (two awards) and various unit and campaign awards.