HMCM (FMF/SW/AW/MCD/FPJ) Tavita F. Saelua was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa.  He graduated from Marist Brother’s High School in 1985 and joined the U.S. Navy on Feb 1986. 

Saelua received recruit training at San Diego, California, followed by Hospital Corpsman “A” School at Balboa. His first duty assignment was at Naval Hospital Oaknoll, Oakland, California. 

From 1988-1991, Saelua was stationed in Okinawa, Japan with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division assigned to H&S Company and Charlie Company.  After his tour in Okinawa, Saelua received orders to 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California with assignment to H&S Company, Alpha Company, and Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion/ 1st Marine Regiment Reconnaissance Company from 1991-1994.  

Other assignments include Inspector-Instructor Duty, B Company, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Billings, Montana from 1994-1996.  After his tour in Montana, Saelua received orders enroute to schools and then back to Okinawa Japan with 3rd Marine Division.  He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Company/5th Force Reconnaissance Battalion/3rd Reconnaissance Battalion from 1998-2005 with Alpha Company, Bravo Company, and H&S Company.  During his tour, Saelua was selected for the national “Doc Piercy” award from the Capital Marine Detachment Marine Corps League in 2000, and also the III MEF Leadership award from the Navy and Marine Association in 2004. 

After Okinawa, Saelua received Instructor duty orders to Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center (JSOMTC), Fort Bragg, North Carolina from 2005-2008.  He was later selected to be the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course.  While on shore duty, Saelua earned his Bachelor of Science degree, certified as a USN Master Training Specialist, and a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (class 135, Green Team).   

Saelua received orders to the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARFORSOC), Camp LeJeune, NC in July 2008 where he was assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion (2nd MSOB).  On January 2010, Saelua was appointed by the Commanding General as MARFORSOC’s Command Master Chief and re-assigned to MARFORSOC HQ. HMCM Saelua is also the recruiter for enlisted Sailors to the command.

Master Chief Saelua’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon (three awards).  He is qualified as a USMC Combatant Diver, Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist, and is also qualified to wear the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia.