CMDCM (SW/AW) Josephine T. Tauoa

Past Command Master Chief, USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93)

05 May 2020 Master Chief Tauoa graduated from high school and immediately joined the United States Navy in 1996. She graduated boot camp in Great Lakes, IL November of 1996 followed by her “A” school at the Naval Training Center. She transferred to her first duty station in La Madalena, Italy onboard the USS SIMON LAKE Site Component in April of 1997. She worked with the port services department as an Engineer and also as a COXSWAIN. In December of 1998 she advanced to Machinist Mate Third Class.

In April of 1999 she reported to Point Loma for duties onboard USS CORONADO (AGF 11) where she primarily worked in one of the Engineering plants. During her tour onboard she was meritoriously advanced to Machinist Mate Second Class.

In April of 2002 she was assigned to Trident Training Facility in Kingsbay, Georgia and became an instructor. She transferred from there in August of 2002 and reported to La Madalena, Italy onboard USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39). While there she worked in the Engineering department in the Auxiliary division as Leading Petty Officer.

In October of 2004 she transferred to San Diego, California onboard USS RONALD REAGAN where she advanced to Petty Officer First Class. While there she worked in the Nuclear Department’s MP division (RP05) as a Leading Petty Officer. She completed several deployments onboard to include two Surge deployments.

She was then transferred to Great Lakes, IL in January 2009 to the Navy’s only Bootcamp as a Recruit Division Commander. While there she trained 11 Recruit Divisions comprised of 88 recruits in which she earned her Distinguished Leadership Award and Volunteer Service Medal. She completed a successful tour and transferred in April of 2012. She reported to Sasebo, Japan onboard USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6) in September of 2012. Working in the Engineering department in the Main Propulsion division. She advanced to Chief Petty Officer in September of 2013 and worked as a Leading Chief Petty Officer. She completed several Engineering Certifications, INSURV, and several deployments. She transferred in October of 2015.

In January of 2016 she report to Norfolk Virginia serving at AFLOAT TRAINING GROUP. While there she worked in the Steam Shop. In June of 2016 she advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. She was temporarily assigned to the USS WASP (LHD 1) to support evolutions in the Engineering department while conducting Lite Off Assessments and Sea Trials . While assigned to ATG Norfolk, she served as the Chief Petty Officers Association President (CPOA) of the largest Chiefs Mess in the Navy. She completed several qualifications while onboard to include Master Training Specialist (MTS), Afloat Training Specialist (ATS) and was named the AFLOAT TRAINER OF THE YEAR 2017-2018.

In October of 2018, Senior Chief Tauoa graduated from Ashford University with her Bachelors Degree in Organizational Management. She reported onboard USS HALSEY (DDG 97) as the 3M Coordinator. In April of 2019, she was selected by the Commanding Officer to serve as the TOP SNIPE onboard. On May 1st 2019, she was selected for advancement to Master Chief Petty Officer. In October of 2019, Master Chief Petty Officer Tauoa graduated from Excelsior College with her Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership. On February 26th, 2020 she was selected as one of the Navy’s First Female Samoan Command Master Chief.

She currently serves onboard USS CHUNG HOON as the Command Master Chief (CMC). She has earned numerous medals and unit campaign awards throughout her Naval Career.