HELICOPTER SEA COMBAT SQUADRON TWO FIVE - OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE OF THE ISLAND KNIGHTS

CMDCM(AW/SW) Kurtis J. Szyszka
Command Master Chief, HSC-25

Master Chief Szyszka joined the Navy in October 1986 as an undesignated Airman Recruit. He reported to Recruit Training Command, San Diego, California in January 1987 and was meritoriously promoted to Airman Apprentice and redesignated into the Yeoman rating.

Upon completion of Yeoman ‘A’ School at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi he reported to his first duty assignment on board USS BARBEY (FF-1088) homeported in San Diego, CA. During this tour, he completed a Western Pacific Deployment and qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.

His sea duty assignments include Commander Task Force 73/75 detachment Guam; Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 302; Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) Thailand; Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ONE FIVE (VFA 115); and Commander, Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW 5) forward deployed in Japan.

His shore duty assignments include Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific, Singapore; Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Belgium; Military Entrance and Processing Station Salt Lake City, Utah, and U.S. Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In February 2011, he was selected for the Command Master Chief program and reported for duty as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO FIVE (HSC-25) Command Master Chief in July 2011.

Master Chief Szyszka is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 159 Blue), Command Master Chief Course, and Navy Legal Officer Course.

His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal (three awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards); Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various unit and service decorations.