CMDCM (SW/AW/IW) Pedro "Pete" Santos

Command Master Chief, Carrier Strike Group 9 (CCSG 9)

01 January 2015

Command Master Chief Pedro Santos enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1987. He completed basic training in San Diego, Calif. Santos’ first duty station was USS Wisconsin (BB-64) in Norfolk, Va., where he was assigned as a member of 5th Division. He then transferred to USS Missouri (BB 63), homeported in Long Beach, Calif., and was assigned to 3rd Division. At 3rd Division, he achieved the rank of petty officer third class. Santos’ next assignment was Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, where he was assigned to the command’s Security Department and promoted to petty officer second class.

Santos next assignment was Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit EIGHT, Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily. At NAS Sigonella, Sicily, he achieved the rank of petty officer first class and held various assignments, such as leading petty officer of maintenance division and command 3-M coordinator.

Santos then transferred to Readiness Reserve Center, Alameda, Calif., as leading petty officer of Training and Manpower Department. In September 2000, he transferred to USS Elliot (DD 967) as Deck Division leading petty officer. While aboard Elliot, he completed cruises in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. At the end of his tour aboard Elliot, Santos transferred to USS Coronado (AGF 11). During his time aboard Coronado, he was selected for Chief Petty Officer (CPO).

In 2003, Santos was assigned to USS Higgins (DDG 76) as deck leading chief petty officer. Aboard Higgins, he completed several deployments and was selected for Senior Chief Petty Officer. In 2006, Santos reported to USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) as department leading chief petty officer. In October 2008, he was assigned to USS Cleveland (LPD 7) as department leading chief petty officer, where he was selected for master chief petty officer.

One year later, while assigned to USS Boxer (LHD 4) as department leading chief petty officer, he was selected to be part of the Command Master Chief program.

Command Master Chief Santos is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Course and CMC/COB (Class 73). He has served as the CMDCM for USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS Anchorage (LPD 23), USS Essex (LHD 2) and Amphibious Strike Force SEVENTH Fleet CTF-76/ESG-7. He is currently serving as Command Master Chief of Carrier Strike Group NINE homeported out of San Diego.

Command Master Chief Santos has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (four), Navy Commendation Medal (three), Navy Achievement Medal (five), and various unit and campaign awards. Also, he wears the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and Information Dominance Warfare Specialist insignias.