CMDCS Kyle J Shafer
Command Senior Chief, USS Milwaukee (LCS 5)
30 March 2021
Born in Riverside, California. Enlisted in the Navy under the delayed entry program December, 2001. Completed basic training and Gunner’s Mate "A" school at RTC / NTC, Great Lakes, Illinois. Graduated from Vertical Launching System "C" school in 2002.
Served onboard USS LASSEN (DDG 82) as a plank owner supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He also served onboard Inshore Boat Unit FOUR THREE as a plank owner and the weapons department leading petty officer, supporting operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Selected by the Commodore of Naval Coastal Warfare Group TWO to become a plank owner of Helo-bourne Visit Board Search and Seizure TWO where he was a team leader, boarding officer, lead designated helo marksman, and helicopter rope suspension technique master, supporting operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. He served onboard Coastal Riverine Squadron THREE where he held positions as departmental leading chief for weapons and ordnance, as well as, Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) Security Company det Rota, SEL MK VI Bravo Company Det. Guam, and SEL security boat company det. Kuwait.
Other tours of duty include Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific in Coronado, California, on independent duty where he was selected as the command’s leading petty officer and held positions as weapons officer, training officer, and supply officer, leading to 32 successful combat camera deployments supporting multiple worldwide operations. In June 2012, he reported to Navy Munitions Command, Bahrain, supporting 75 tenant commands and FIFTH FLEET ballistic missile defense as the operation’s chief. He served at Afloat Training Group Pacific Northwest as combat systems team lead for nine warfare areas and qualified as an afloat training specialist, master training specialist, and training liaison officer. He recently transferred from NAVSEA Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport, Washington where he served as the Command Senior Chief for over 2,500 sailors and civilians supporting all lines of effort for heavyweight and lightweight torpedo assets in U.S. and foreign military partner’s arsenals.
Senior Chief Shafer is a graduate of the U.S. Navy senior enlisted academy (class 208, gray) and command master chief / chief of the boat course (class 22040). He is qualified as an enlisted surface warfare specialist, enlisted expeditionary warfare specialist, enlisted aviation warfare specialist, and certified as a master training specialist. He holds an associate of science degree in general studies from City University of Seattle. He has earned numerous personal, unit and campaign awards.