As a native of Berkshire, United Kingdom, Master Chief Rayner immigrated to the United States in 1995 and entered the Delayed Entry Program in 2000 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He reported to basic training at RTC Great Lakes, Illinois in January 2001 and completed Damage Controlman “A” School at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois.
Master Chief Rayner’s first sea duty assignment was USS COLE (DDG 67) where he joined the crew tasked with recovering, repairing, and returning Cole to the Fleet after the terrorist attack; he then went on to execute two Sixth Fleet AOR deployments, BALTOPS, and various other training and operational exercises. In 2009 he reported aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) and served as the Command Damage Control Petty Officer Program Coordinator, Command Damage Control Training Manager, and Damage Control Systems Maintenance LCPO while the ship executed numerous training exercises, two Fifth Fleet AOR deployments, and a 14-month Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA). It was during the 2013 deployment when he was selected for advancement to Chief Petty Officer. His previous assignment was Command Master Chief aboard USS HERSHEL ‘WOODY’ WILLIAMS (ESB 4).
His shore assignments include maintenance supervisor at Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) Norfolk, Virginia; Damage Control (MOB-D) Team Lead at Afloat Training Group (ATG) Mayport, Florida; and Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, Illinois as a Recruit Division Commander (RDC), RDC “C” School Operations Chief, Temporary Holding Unit and Ship’s (Barracks) LCPO, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Restriction of Movement (ROM) Detachment Senior Enlisted Leader, and Command Master Chief (acting) for Naval Station Great Lakes.
He reported as USS MITSCHER (DDG 57) Command Senior Enlisted Leader in October 2022.
Master Chief Rayner was selected for the Command Senior Chief program in February 2020. He is a graduate of the Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA 219 Gray, Dean’s List) and CMC/COB Course (Class 21010). In addition to qualifying as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is also qualified Afloat and Master Training Specialists. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6 awards) and various personal, campaign, and unit decorations.