WASHINGTON: Navy’s New Top Enlisted Man Named

Stevens is Next Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

Fleet Master Chief Michael Stevens has been named Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the top enlisted post in the seagoing service.

Fleet Master Chief Stevens (U.S. Navy photo)

Admiral Jonathan Greenert, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), announced the appointment today (June 27) at a Pentagon press briefing to discuss ship deployments planned for the shift in strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific Region (more on that later).

Stevens, who has served as fleet master chief at U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, will replace the current master chief of the Navy, Rick West, who will be retiring this fall.

Stevens, who joined the Navy in 1983, has served command master chief tours with the U.S. 2^nd Fleet, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 and Naval Air Station Pensacola (Florida).

The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) advises the CNO and the Chief of Naval Personnel on matters of importance to enlisted personnel and their families.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West speaks to sailors in Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane)