CMDCM (SW/AW/EXW) James Abeyta

Command Master Chief, USS Decatur (DDG 73)

11 July 2023 Master Chief Abeyta enlisted in the Navy on August 1997 and subsequently graduated recruit training at Navy Basic Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois followed by completion of Hospital Corpsman “A” School.

He reported to his first duty as a General Duty Corpsman PRECOM USS BONHOMME RICHARD LHD-6 where he worked as Supply Petty Officer and Sick call LPO and was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class and then promoted to Petty Officer Second Class. Upon completion of his first shipboard tour in 2001, he report to Branch Medical Clinic El Centro, CA where he led the education and training department and was promoted to First Class Petty Officer.

In 2003 HM1 Abeyta attended Independent Duty Corpsman School in San Diego, CA. Following graduation in 2004, he reported to PRECOM USS NEW ORLEANS LPD-18, in San Diego, CA as the Independent Duty Corpsman. 

In 2007 HM1 Abeyta reported to Special Boat Team TWELVE. During this tour, he completed several deployments overseas, to include several Foreign Internal Defense, Joint Chiefs Exercise and Training missions across PACOM, CENTCOM and SOUTHCOM.

HM1 Abeyta reported for shore duty at Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Advanced Training Command as the Senior Medical Department Representative where he stood up the NSW SERE program. He was selected for Chief Petty Officer in 2010 and augmented SEAL Team SEVEN in support Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom in April of 2011 as the Senior Medical Department Representative and Independent Duty Corpsman for Task Unit Basrah and Task Force South. During this deployment, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

In 2013 HMC Abeyta reported to USS De WERT (FFG-45) as the Senior Medical Department Representative, Executive DLCPO and Independent Duty Corpsman where he completed a seven month Independent Deployment supporting National tasking in Fifth Fleet. In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.

In 2014 HMCS Abeyta received orders to the USS ROOSEVELT (DDG-80) as the Senior Medical Department Representative, NAV/Admin DLCPO and Independent Duty Corpsman and completed a 9 and 7 month deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In 2016 he reported to Commander, Littoral Combat Squadron (LCS) TWO as the Lead Ship Medical Inspector and N1/N7 Leading Chief Petty Officer. In 2019, he reported as the Lead Ship Medical Inspector, Destroyer Squadron SIX ZERO, Rota, Spain. During this tour, he was promoted to his current rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. In 2021, he was selected as the Command Master Chief for Expeditionary Medical Facility KILO.

Master Chief Abeyta’s personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (6th Award), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th Award), Armed Services Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous unit and campaign awards. He is qualified to wear Enlisted Surface Warfare, Enlisted Aviation Warfare, and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist. He is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Senior Leader Course and CMC/COB Course. In 2019 he completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Excelsior College and in 2021 completed a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Excelsior College