Senior Chief Kevin J. Rainaldi is a native of Yorktown Heights, New York and enlisted in the United States Navy in February 2007. Following completion of Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, he attended the Aviation Machinist Mate initial training course in San Diego, CA where he graduated with knowledge on basic engine, secondary power, and fuel systems for naval aircraft. His first operational tour was with the "Vanguard" of HM-14 where he rose through the ranks to First Class Petty Officer while completing two humanitarian deployments onboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in support of Operation Unified Response, Haiti, and USS Tortuga (LSD-46) in support of Operation TOMADACHI, Japan. In March of 2013, Senior Chief Rainaldi reported to the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23). While attached to the Salty Dogs he served as a Government Quality Assurance Representative, and the Command Career Counselor leading to his selection as Senior Sailor of the Year.
In 2016, Senior Chief Rainaldi returned to NSA Norfolk, Virginia for assignment to “The Chargers” of HSC-26. Shortly after checking in, he was selected to Chief Petty Officer. While attached to the Chargers, he completed numerous detachments and deployments as Maintenance Chief Petty Officer Safe for Flight, including carrier qualification operations aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), two joint air detachments in Savanah Georgia, two deployments to DET One Bahrain and a joint training detachment (Jaden Thunder) to Mountain Air force Base in Boise Idaho. During this tour he served as the Leading Chief Petty Officer for the Power Plants and Airframes work centers, the line division as well as Jaden Thunder Detachment LCPO. Following his tour with the “Chargers”, Senior Chief Rainaldi reported to FRCMA DET Norfolk in August 2020. Upon arriving he was selected to Senior Chief Petty Officer. While at FRC he served as the 400 Division Power Plants LCPO, and the Administration LCPO.
In July 2023, Senior Chief Rainaldi joined the “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87, where he deployment onboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). He served as the Aircraft Division LCPO and Quality Assurance Supervisor, before he was crossed decked to the “Pukin’Dogs” of VFA-143. While attached to VFA-143, Senior Chief Rainaldi deployed to the Red Sea on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for their 2024-2025 Combat deployment.
Senior Chief Rainaldi was selected to the CSEL program in March of 2025 and is currently serving as Command Senior Chief onboard USS Indianapolis (LCS 17).
He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Manhattan College, is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 232 and CMC/COB Class 25150. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (9), Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit commendations and awards. He is also qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.