Command Master Chief (Blue)

Benjamin F. Chester

Senior Chief Petty Officer

26 September 2020

Chester reported to USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in July of 2001 after completion of his initial training. He deployed to the Middle East twice for combat missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2004-2008 Chester was assigned to Navy Information Operations Detachment Alice Springs, Australia. From 2008-2011 he was assigned as an intern at the National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort Meade, Maryland. While assigned to the NSA he deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and was selected for Chief Petty Officer in 2011.

In 2011 he reported to Navy Information Operations Command Whidbey Island where he served as the Signals Analysis Laboratory and Mobile Quick Look Department LCPO. In 2014 he was assigned to USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) in Yokosuka Japan and was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. He served as the Operations Department LCPO and qualified as an Aegis Air Warfare Coordinator. In 2018 he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Department of Defense, Special Representative Japan on Yokota Air Base, Japan where he was selected to the Command Senior Chief program. He reported to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 in Jacksonville, Florida in October 2019 and assumed the duties as Command Senior Enlisted Leader of USS Sioux City (LCS 11) Blue (Crew 110) in April of 2020.

Senior Chief and his wife, Yoshiko, have been married for 16 years, and are the proud parents of Travis (13) and Ayami (11). His family has a steep tradition in military service, his grandfather was an Army Colonel who authored the book “Orders and Directives”, and his father was a Marine with combat tours in the Korean War. His brother Charles is a retired Army Sergeant First Class, and his brother Jeff is a retired Chief Fire Controlman.

Command Senior Chief Chester is authorized to wear the Enlisted Surface Warfare, Enlisted Information Warfare, and Enlisted Aviation Warfare pins, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various campaign, service, and unit awards.

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