MMCM (SW/AW) Damien Franklin

Past Senior Enlisted Leader, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11 (CPR 11)

05 June 2019 A native of Georgiana, Alabama, Master Chief Franklin enlisted in the Navy in June 1998. After graduating boot camp and Machinist’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois, he proceeded on to his initial duty station onboard USS WASP (LHD 1), stationed in Norfolk, Virginia in November 1998. During this tour he was selected as 1999 Blue Jacket of the Year, advanced to Third Class Petty Officer, earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications, advancing to Second Class Petty Officer by tours end.

Upon completion of his first sea duty in 2002, and completion of Cryogenics Technician “C” School, he transferred to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, HI in April 2003 as the Leading Petty Officer of the Oxygen/Nitrogen (O2/N2) Services Shop. During this tour he was advanced to First Class Petty Officer and volunteered to complete an IA tour onboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) in Yokosuka, Japan.

In 2006, Master Chief transferred to USS BATAAN (LHD 5) as Forward Main Machinery Room Leading Petty Officer. During this tour, he qualified Engineering Officer of the Watch, and was selected to Chief Petty Officer (Class 116). In 2009, following a successful sea tour, he reported to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL as a Recruit Division Commander and Assistant Ships LCPO. During this tour Master Chief trained 15 recruit divisions, earned his Distinguished Leadership Award, and qualified Master Training Specialist.

In 2013 Master Chief Franklin reported aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) as Auxiliaries Division LCPO. During this tour he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer, completed two Western Pacific Deployments, 2 CNO availabilities, INSURV and various training cycle events. After completing his sea tour in 2017, he reported to Hawaii Regional Maintenance Center, as Senior Enlisted Advisor and Production Officer, responsible for 14 production shops and 155 enlisted Sailors. In 2018, he was selected for Master Chief and reported to Commander, Amphibious Squadron Eleven as Senior Enlisted Leader/Squadron Top Snipe.

Master Chief Franklin earned his Bachelor of Science in Energy Management from Bismarck State College, and his Power Plant Operating Engineer, Combined Cycle Combustion Turbine Operating Engineer Certifications from the American Society of Power Engineers (ASOPE). His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards) and various service and campaign awards.