Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON /ˈmɪkpɒn/) is a unique non-commissioned rank and position of office of the United States Navy, which has with it the paygrade of E-9. The holder of this position is the most senior enlisted member of the U.S. Navy, equivalent to the Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, and Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Space Force. The current MCPON is Russell Smith.[1][2][3]

For the Royal Navy equivalent, see Warrant Officer of the Naval Service.
For the RAN equivalent, see Warrant Officer of the Navy.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Incumbent
Russell L. Smith
since 29 August 2018
 United States Navy
TypeAdvisor
AbbreviationMCPON
Reports toChief of Naval Operations
AppointerChief of Naval Operations
Term length2 years
renewable once
Formation28 April 1967 (1967-04-28)
First holderDelbert Black
SalaryE-9
WebsiteOfficial website

The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is appointed by the Chief of Naval Operations to serve as a spokesperson to address the issues of enlisted personnel to the highest positions in the Navy. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) as well as the Chief of Naval Personnel. Their exact duties vary, depending on the CNO, though they generally devote much of their time to traveling throughout the Navy observing training and talking to sailors and their families. Their personnel code is N00D as the senior enlisted advisor to Chief of Naval Operations and PERS-00D in their special advisory capacity to Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, and Training). In 1988, the MCPON's spouse was made the Ombudsman-at-Large, authorizing them to travel around the fleet with their spouse, representing the interests of the spouses of enlisted members. The MCPON serves an appointed two-year term of office[4] but can be reappointed by the CNO for an additional two-year term.[5] Typically; the MCPON serves two terms. While the MCPON is a non-commissioned officer, this rank is protocoled higher than all rear admirals and equivalent to a vice admiral in billet, seating, transportation, and parking.[6]

Origin

In 1966, the opportunity was given to sailors in the U.S. Navy's two largest concentration areas, Hampton Roads, Virginia, and San Diego County, California, to voice their concerns, complaints, and recommendations to the top levels of the U.S. Navy. The response was overwhelming; naval leaders realized that they were out of touch with the desires of enlisted sailors. To provide a permanent channel for input from the enlisted force to their senior leadership, the Navy acted on a suggestion to create a "Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Navy" who would have a direct dialogue channel with all enlisted sailors and represent their interests. Initially, the post was known as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Navy, and on 13 January 1967 GMCM Delbert Black was selected to serve a four-year term in that capacity. On 28 April of the same year, Black's title was changed to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy to bring the Navy in line with the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, which had created equivalent positions in 1957 and July 1966 respectively. MCPON Black's duties were to the Chief of Naval Personnel. All subsequent MCPONs have reported to both the CNO and CNP.

MCPON rate insignia
MCPON rate insignia
SleeveCollarShoulder

During the MCPON's tenure, a third silver star above the gold anchor is added onto the MCPON's collar and cap devices, as well as a rating badge consisting of a perched eagle atop three inverted gold chevrons, one rocker, and three inverted gold stars above the eagle. The MCPON's rating specialty mark is replaced by a single inverted gold star. The MCPON will also wear the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Badge on naval uniforms.

Master Chief Petty Officers of the Navy
No.MCPONPhotoTenure
1MCPON Delbert Black01 March 1967 – 1 April 1971
2MCPON(NAC/CAC) John "Jack" Whittet1 April 1971 – 25 September 1975
3MCPON Robert Walker25 September 1975 – 28 September 1979
4MCPON(NAC) Thomas S. Crow28 September 1979 – 1 October 1982
5MCPON(NAC) Billy C. Sanders1 October 1982 – 4 October 1985
6MCPON(SW) William H. Plackett4 October 1985 – 9 September 1988
7MCPON(AW/NAC) Duane R. Bushey9 September 1988 – 28 August 1992
8MCPON(SW/PJ) John Hagan28 August 1992 – 27 March 1998
9MCPON(SS/SW/AW) James L. Herdt27 March 1998 – 22 April 2002
10MCPON(SS/AW) Terry D. Scott22 April 2002 – 10 July 2006
11MCPON(SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa10 July 2006 – 12 December 2008
12MCPON(SS/SW) Rick D. West12 December 2008 – 28 September 2012
13MCPON(AW/NAC) Michael D. Stevens28 September 2012 – 2 September 2016
14MCPON(SG/SW/IW) Steven S. Giordano2 September 2016 – 21 June 2018
ActingFLTCM(IW/SW/AW) Russell L. Smith22 June 2018 – 29 August 2018
15MCPON(IW/SW/AW) Russell L. Smith29 August 2018 – present

Timeline
Russell L. SmithSteven S. GiordanoMichael D. StevensRick D. WestJoe R. CampaTerry D. ScottJames L. HerdtJohn Hagan (USN)Duane R. BusheyWilliam H. PlackettBilly C. SandersThomas S. CrowRobert Walker (USN)John WhittetDelbert Black

See also

References
  1. Fleet Master Chief Smith Temporarily Assumes Duties of MCPON
  2. Fleet Master Chief Russell Smith Named Temporary MCPON
  3. Information, This story was written by the Office of the Navy Chief of. "CNO Selects Fleet Master Chief Smith as 15th MCPON". Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  6. "Order of Precedence – OPNAVINST 1710.7J (NOTES: 7)" (PDF). Senior Enlisted Service Representatives (SMA, SGMMC, MCPON, CMSAF, etc.) are typically afforded precedence equal to that of a three-star officer and are placed somewhere midway between the senior and junior general/flag officer present. This is not an exact rule, but one which can be used to arrive at the proper place for most situations.
  • Crist, Charlotte D. Winds of Change: The History of the Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy 1967–1992. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, 1992. A joint publication of the Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and the Naval Historical Center which is available through the Government Printing Office and depository libraries.
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