Darnell Williams
Master Chief Petty Officer
26 September 2020
Master Chief Williams is a native of Ohio and raised in Texas. He enlisted in the United States Navy under the Delayed Entry Program in June, 2001 and completed Basic Training and Fire Controlman "A" school at RTC/NTC, Great Lakes, Ill. He graduated from Fire Controlman UYA-4 Display Technician and UYQ-21 AEGIS Display Technician "C" schools in 2002 and 2005.
He served onboard the USS SPRUANCE (DD-963) and USS ANZIO (CG-68) completing two deployments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and was selected as USS ANZIO and CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TEN’s Sailor of the Year, 2008. From there he was selected for instructor duty at the AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC), Dahlgren, VA, where he achieved his Combat Systems Officer of the Watch and Master Training Specialist Qualifications. He was selected as ATRC’s 2010 Sailor of the Year and #2 Instructor of the Year for the Navy and Marine by the Commander of Navy Education and Training Center in 2011. In 2012, he transferred to USS DONALD COOK (DDG-75) and was selected for Chief Petty Officer. Subsequently, he was transferred to USS STOUT (DDG-55) through Chief Petty Officer redistribution. While onboard, he completed two deployments, achieved seven major combat qualifications to include Tactical Action Officer, and was selected to the rank of Senior Chief. In 2017, he was selected for the Command Senior Chief/Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Program. In December of 2017, he reported to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two where he was selected to integrate and implement the LCS Training Crew for advanced LCS pipeline training. He was selected for promotion to Master Chief in May of 2018.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy Class 206 (Red Group), and Command Master Chief and Chief of the Boat Course. Master Chief Williams’ awards include the Navy And Marine Corp Commendation Medal (4); Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (4) and various individual, campaign and Unit awards. He has earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Designator and Master Training Specialist certification.