CMDCM(SW/AW/IW) Charles Smith

Command Master Chief, COMMANDER, NAVAL SURFACE FORCE, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET

22 March 2023 Master Chief Charles Smith, a native of Chicago, Illinois, enlisted in the United States Navy on November 3, 1993. After completing basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he reported to Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, where he completed seaman apprenticeship training. 

Upon graduation, he reported to his first operational command for duty as an undesignated seaman apprentice aboard Commander, U.S. Third Fleet flag ship USS Coronado (AGF 11), homeported in San Diego, Calif., in January 1994. During his tour, he advanced to Operations Specialist (OS) 2nd Class, and was designated as an Air Directional Controller. In May 2001, he transferred to Commander, Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy and advanced to OS1. He served as the Tactical Flag Command Center Leading Petty Officer, where he conducted Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM missions. In April 2004, he transferred to USS Halsey (DDG 97) as a plank owner and Air Intercept Controller. He was selected to Chief Petty Officer, and served as Operations Information Division Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO). During his tour, he earned the Commander, Naval Surface Force, Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award for CY 2005. In May 2010, he transferred to USS Spruance (DDG 111) as a plank owner and Interface Control Officer, where he was selected to Senior Chief Petty Officer and served as Operations Department LCPO. In addition, he was hand selected to deploy with Destroyer Squadron Two Three (CDS 23), aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and four destroyer Surface Action Groups as Staff Tactical Action Officer and Anti-Subsurface Warfare Evaluator. In 2015, he was selected to Master Chief Petty Officer and the Command Master Chief program. He served his first Command Master Chief tour with Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Seven (VAQ 137) and deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). His second tour was aboard USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121). Most recently, he served as Command Master Chief aboard USS Lake Champlain (CG 57). Master Chief reported onboard and assumed the duties as Command Master Chief at Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in March 2023. 

His shore assignments include Supply Petty Officer and Hazmat Coordinator at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois; Inport Training LCPO and Combat Systems Team Leader at Afloat Training Group San Diego, and a second tour at Afloat Training Group San Diego as Combat Systems Department LCPO. 

Master Chief Smith is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course. He has qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare, Aviation Warfare, Information Warfare, Master Training Specialist and Afloat Training Specialist designations. 

His decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5), Armed Forces Service Medal and various unit and campaign awards.