CMDCM James A. Hayes III
Command Master Chief, USS Nitze (94)
27 January 2021
Master Chief Hayes was born in Houston, TX in 1979 and graduated from Evan E. Worthing High School in 1997. In November of 1997, he completed Recruit Training in Great Lakes, IL and reported to Mess Management Specialist “A” School on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.
His first duty assignment was onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). During his tour on board he advanced to Third Class Petty Officer. He later transferred to NS Pearl Harbor, HI and during his tour he was advanced to Second Class Petty Officer.
In November 2004, he reported to USS O’BANNON (DD 987) homeported in Mayport, FL, where he completed a Decommissioning deployment. He then PCS to USNSE Larisa, Greece after one year of Type 3 Duty, he checked into MCM Crew Reaper where he completed three deployments and got meritorious advanced to First Class Petty Officer. January 2009 he became a Recruiter and completed a successful tour at NRD Houston.
April 2012, he reported to USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) completed another Decommissioning deployment. Immediately he was handpicked to fill gapped billet onboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) completing another 10 month deployment within two years. Shortly after checking into JEB Little Creek-Ft Story he was selected to Chief Petty Officer. Two years later he filled a gapped billet onboard the USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG-95), six months later he was diverted to fill a critical gapped billet onboard USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) where he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. In February 2021 he reported to Naval Supply System Command Head Quarters in Mechanicsburg, PA where he was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer and served as the Fleet Culinary Specialist. Master Chief Hayes was recently promoted to Command Master Chief and currently serves as USS NITZE (DDG 94) CMC.
His personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6), Good Conduct Medal (7), and various other personal and unit awards.