CMDCM CHARLES EAKLEY
Command Master Chief, USS BATAAN (LHD 5)
18 September 2024
Command Master Chief Eakley is a native of Bronx, New York. He graduated from the High School of Music and Art in 1989 and enlisted in the United States Navy in February 1996 under the delayed entry program. He completed Basic Training at RTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in 1996 and later graduated from Sonar Technician "A" School in San Diego, California, in 1997.
Master Chief Eakley's sea assignments include service aboard several vessels: USS PETERSON (DD 969), USS BULKELEY (DDG 84), and USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) as 3MC, as well as USS KAUFFMAN (FFG 59) where he served as Command Senior Chief. Additionally, he served as Command Master Chief with PATROL COASTAL SQUADRON ONE, USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24), and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-211) "CHECKMATES" station onboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75).
Throughout his career, he has completed eight deployments to the 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. He also has participated in various operations and port visits in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Ashore, Master Chief Eakley served as Command Master Chief for Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-106) "GLADIATORS," Transient Personnel Unit in Puget Sound, Washington, as Command Senior Chief, and Command Undersea Surveillance in Virginia Beach as Operations and Training Department LCPO.
Currently, CMDCM Eakley serves as Command Master Chief aboard USS BATAAN (LHD 5), stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.
He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 157, Brown), the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course (Class 90), Command Senior Enlisted Leader Executive Leadership Symposium, and the Advanced Command Master Chief Course.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (6 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), and numerous unit and service awards. He has earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Insignia, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia, and Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) Specialist Breast Insignia.