CMDCM DERRICK L. PICKENS
Command Master Chief, USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119)
06 January 2026
Command Master Chief Pickens is a native of Philadelphia, MS. He joined the Navy in 1998 and attended basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion of basic training, he attended Yeoman “A” school in Meridian, MS. and received orders to Assault Craft Unit ONE. His follow-on sea tours include USS PORTLAND (LSD 37), USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39), USS SHOUP (DDG 86) where he served as a Work Center Supervisor, Leading Admin and Supply Petty Officer, and Navigation Department Leading Petty Officer. During his tours, he completed multiple deployments to the West African coast, Western Pacific, and Mediterranean Sea areas of operation.
His shore tours include Tactical Training Group Atlantic (TTGL), United States European Command (EUCOM) where he assisted in establishing the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) command, and Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command as a Flag Writer for VADM Brown, RADM Okon, and RDML Gallaudet. In April 2022, he transferred to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB 133) where he was selected to the Command Senior Chief Program and served as the base Senior Enlisted Leader for Naval Support Facility Poland.
He's a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Leadership Academy and Command Senior Chief/Command Master Chief Course.
His professional qualifications include the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, and Information Dominance Warfare insignia. His personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Naval and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (seven awards), as well as numerous unit and campaign awards.