FLTCM(SW/AW) John Minyard
Fleet Master Chief

Master Chief (AW/SW) Minyard became the 15th Fleet Master Chief for the U. S. Pacific Fleet on June 10, 2009. The U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100-million square miles and approximately 178 ships, 1,500 aircraft and 160,000 Sailors, Marines and Civilians.

Master Chief Minyard enlisted in the Navy in May 1984 and attended recruit training in Great Lakes, Ill.. Upon completion of basic training, he reported to Dam Neck, Va., where he attended Operations Specialist “A” school.

Prior to his selection into the Command Master Chief program, Master Chief Minyard served aboard USS Gridley (CG 21), USS California (CGN 36), and USS Howard (DDG 83) and completed six Western Pacific deployments.

His shore-duty commands include Pacific Missile Test Center, NAWC Point Mugu, Calif., where he served as the air intercept controller supervisor (AICS) during Operation Desert Storm. In June 1997, he reported to Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), where he served as the lead enlisted AICS instructor, training both aircrew and shipboard AIC tactics for the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor course.

Selected for the Command Master Chief (CMC) program in 2005, Master Chief Minyard assumed the duties as command master chief for Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22), the “Fighting Redcocks,” and deployed aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during the aircraft carrier’s 2006 maiden deployment. His next CMC tour in April 2007 was an assignment to Carrier Air Wing Two, serving the commander of eight squadrons and 1,700 Sailors and completing a deployment on board USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Prior to assuming his current duties as the U.S. Pacific Fleet master chief, Master Chief Minyard served as the command master chief to Commander 3rd Fleet.

Master Chief Minyard graduated from U.S. Senior Enlisted Academy (118 Gold), CMC COB Course of Instruction (18). He is also a graduate of the National Defense University’s Keystone Course.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), and various campaign and service awards.

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