Command Master Chief |
| |
TWS Ribbon Bar |
|
Service Photo |
Service Details |
|
|
Current Service Status
USN Retired
|
Current/Last Rank
Command Master Chief Petty Officer
|
Current/Last Primary NEC
9580-Command Master Chief
|
Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Command Master Chief
|
Primary Unit
2012-2015, Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi/Truax Field, TX
|
Previously Held NEC
HT-0000-Hull Maintenance Technician
DC-4805-Shipboard Chemical, Biological & Radiological Oper. & Train. Spec.
9502-Instructor
DC-4811-Senior Enlisted Damage Control Prog. Management & Training Spec.
|
Service Years
1985 - 2015
|
Official/Unofficial US Navy Certificates
Operation Desert Storm
Cold War
Decommissioning
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Order of the Ditch
Order of the Rock
Order of the Magellan
Order of the Golden Shellback
Panama Canal
Persian Excursion
Plank Owner
Realm of the Czars
Suez Canal
Tailhook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1985-1985, HQ, RTC (Cadre/Faculty Staff) San Diego, CA
|
|
1985-1985, HQ, RTC (Cadre/Faculty Staff) San Diego, CA
|
|
1986-1989, HT-0000, Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA), Naval Support Activity Charleston, SC
|
|
1989-1994, DC-4805, USS De Wert (FFG-45)
|
|
1994-1996, 9502, NTTC Treasure Island (Staff)
|
|
1996-1997, DC-4811, SSC (Cadre/Staff) Great Lakes, ILL
|
|
1997-2001, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)
|
|
2001-2003, Afloat Training Group Pacific (Staff)
|
|
2003-2006, USS Boxer (LHD-4)
|
|
2006-2009, DC-4805, Naval Construction and Training Center Det Fort Leonard Wood, MO (Staff)
|
|
2006-Present, DC-4811, Center for Naval Engineering (Staff)
|
|
2009-2011, VFA-97 Warhawks
|
|
2009-Present, Commander Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11)
|
|
2010-Present, USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
|
|
2011-Present, Commander Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9)
|
|
2011-Present, USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
|
|
2012-2015, Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi/Truax Field, TX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reflections on CMDCM Mathis's
US Navy Service
|
|
|
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
| Dad and Daughter |
My father served in the US Army for over 24 years, and I always looked up to him. I always had the urge to join the military for some reason or another. I guess being a boy scout and liking the rank challenges to make it to the next level. It always gave me a sense of accomplishment.
|
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Well, like almost all of us, once you've taken your ASVAB test, it's time to look at what you qualify for. My detailer, an MM at the time, offered me quite a few jobs. I remember my father telling me don't be a BT. I asked my dad what a BT was, and he told me they shoveled coal into the boilers. LOL. Well, the first thing out of MM1's mouth was, do you want to be a BT? I said no, and he said why not. I told him my father said not to be a BT. He asked was your dad in the Navy? I said no, Army. We both laughed. I told him I liked working with my hands and not sitting at a desk job. Well, after being offered BT, HM, OS, MM, and MR, the last thing he offered me was HT. I asked him what an HT was he stated Hull Technician. He mentioned welding, plumbing, and Damage control. I said I'd take it. You had to remember back in 1984; they didn't have the DC rating back until 1987. The only reason I left the Navy is because I made it to my final goal of serving my country for 30 years. It was now time to retire and do all the things that I never had a chance to do with the love of my life.
|
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
The first Gulf War was in 1991. Seeing the gulf water the same color as the sunset because of all the oil released during the war and all the smoke and fire because of all the oil derricks in flames. This really bothered me because a person would actually think this is why we were over there. Something that will always bother me is why we were there. Was it because of the oil? Seeing other FFG's same class as ours were being hit with Exocet missiles and running into mines. All because of oil. I never understood why we escorted oil tankers out of Kuwait Bay to the straits of Hormuz and then escorted another back to Kuwait Bay for months at a time. I understand keeping the waterways open, yep, got that, but to escort American oil tankers in and out just made me think how the big corporations have ties to our politicians. To see our Marines on top of oil derricks loaded out with weapons protecting that company's assets. In 1989 I will never forget pulling into Bahrain for the first time; we all got on a bus at the end of the pier. An older gentleman wearing a turbine and the bus smelling like a herd of goats, I kid you not. We headed to the main base ASU, which we called Alcohol Support Unit. We pulled up to the main gate, and here comes the dogs and MAs checking under the bus with mirrors and checking all of us on the bus. I asked one of my shipmates what the hell are they doing, and he told me to check for bombs. I said, "REALLY, Don't you think they should have done this before we got on the bus?" That made me realize how expendable we really were.
|
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
USS De Wert FFG-45 was my first ship, and it meant a lot to me. I made some great friends there, and that is when I walked on board as a new second class and left as a new Chief. I'll have to say my least favorite was my very first precomm. USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6. I remember checking into the command at the shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Oct 31, 1997. I was wearing my poly wools Khakis and carrying my briefcase with all my orders and paperwork. I was checking in and was told to head to the Chief Engineer's afternoon meeting. I walked in and was introduced by the MPA. We sat down right next to Cheng. Cheng stood up and started talking. After about a minute or so, he looked down at me and stated you ain't F&$%ing writing. That was my welcoming check-in onboard USS Bonhomme Richard.
|
FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
When I qualified as a SAR swimmer and actually saved a shipmate's life in the Persian Gulf, I never received a citation or reward, but that was okay; it made me feel better as a man that I helped someone with the training I received and used it to the fullest potential.
|
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My first MSM. The funny thing is that the Army wanted to award me with the Bronze Star, and my Command out of Virginia told the Army NO!!! The Navy will give him an MSM. That is just how things work out in the military.
|
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
| Capt Richard Hoffman, and yes he's in the movie Battleship |
There have been quite a few people in my military career, and I look back and was glad I was able to work and learn how to do the right things and become a better leader. Here are some of the people I would like to look back on and thank them once again. Some of the Finest and Greatest Leaders of All Time!!! HT1 Steber DCC Willie Hardin LT. Morrissey CDR Janet Mahn CDR Shoemaker Capt Hoffman Capt Turner I learned from all of these fine people, and they shaped me into becoming who I was back then and who I am today!!!
|
LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
I would have to say Fort Leonard Wood Chemical School, and we were really a tight team!!!!
|
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
The Giant Turd on board USS De Wert that was 13 inches long and 3 1/2 inches round and weighed in at 6 pounds!!! 10th wonder of the world. OMG never did find out who gave birth. Thirty-three flushes later, it broke in half, and a day later, the CHT system backed up.
|
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Command Master Chief and looking forward to retiring Hunting and Fishing with my soul mate.
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Work hard and make the right choices always!!!
|
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Never give up the ship or yourself!!!!
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
One of the best programs out there. It was here before Facebook and all those others. KC 7.25.23
|
|