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Master Chief Blanks enlisted in the Navy in Buffalo, N.Y., in September 1978, attending Basic Training at Naval Technical Training Center Orlando, Fla.
Upon completion of basic training and Aviation Machinist Mate "A" School in Memphis, Tenn., he was assigned to Naval Air Station Cubi Point, The Republic of Philippines, where he served in the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department.
In March of 1982, he reported to NAS Jacksonville, Fla. to Patrol Squadron Three Zero (VP-30). He served in the Power Plant shop as a jet mechanic.
In March 1986, he transferred to sea duty at NAS Brunswick, Maine, Patrol Squadron Two Three (VP-23), where he served as the shop night check supervisor. After advancing to First Class Petty Officer he took over as the Power Plants shop Leading Petty Officer. He also earned his Enlisted Warfare Specialist insignia in 1985.
In October 1987 he transferred to shore duty to NAS Pensacola, Fl, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, where he served as the J69 engine shop Leading Petty Officer with only a year stay due to the closing of AIMD to military personnel. Master Chief Blanks transferred to NAS Moffett Field, CA, Patrol Squadron Three One (VP 31) where he served as the Power Plants shop Leading Petty Officer and was advanced to Chief Petty Officer in September 1991.
In March 1992 he transferred to NAS North Island San Diego, CA, Helicopter Squadron Two (HS-2) for sea duty, where he served as the Line Division Leading Chief and Flight Deck Control/Maintenance control Chief that deployed onboard the USS Nimitz CVN-68) and the USS Constellation CV-64).
In March 1995 he reported to NAS Lemoore, CA, Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group Pacific (FASOTRAGRUPAC), where served as an instructor and later advanced to senior chief petty officer in April 1996, and then became the detachment Officer in Charge (OIC) overseeing training for more then 2,000 Sailors stationed at NAS Lemoore. In December 1998, Master Chief Blanks transferred back to sea duty to Strike Fighter One Five One (VFA 151) NAS Lemoore, CA, where he served as the Quality Assurance leading chief and due to shortage of CMC’s later became the command senior chief for fifteen months leading his squadron back safely from a six month deployment to the western Pacific on board USS Constellation (CV-64). He advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer in April 2002.
In October 2002 after completion of the Senior Enlisted Academy, he reported to Rough Raiders of Strike Fighter Squadron One Two Five (VFA 125) as the Command Master Chief overseeing the well-being of over 500 Sailors and Marines.
In October 2006 he transferred to Misawa, Japan to be the Command Master Chief of CTF-57/72/CFWP where he oversaw the well-being of 200 staff members and the care of several P-3 patrol squadrons deploying to the 7th and 5th Fleet.
In February 2008 he reported to the Naval Safety Center to become their first official Command Master Chief.
Master Chief Blanks’ personal and service awards include: Navy Meritorious Serve Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards); Navy Good Conduct Medal (six awards); and various unit and campaign awards.
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